CASK WHISKY FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions on Buying and Selling Casks of Whisky
Whether you are looking to buy a cask or sell one, or just want to learn more about whisky casks, find out everything you need to know about casks of whisky in our FAQs.
We have put together answers for some of the most asked questions about buying or selling a whisky cask. If your question isn’t covered please feel free to get in touch using our online form and we can answer your question in person. Valuations and offers are provided completely free and with no obligation.
How do I sell a cask of whisky?
We can provide you with a valuation of your cask and provide you with offers from our international client base. Valuations and offers are free of charge and there is no obligation to accept an offer.
As well as the video below, we have a handy blog on how to sell a cask of whisky and you can also use the form to contact us and find out more about selling a cask of whisky.
How much is a cask of whisky worth?
The price of a cask depends on several factors. The same way that the valuation of two identical houses in different locations may vary, two seemingly identical casks might have totally different contents and thus values.
The 5 factors that affect cask value factors are the distillery, the age of the whisky, the cask size and type, the alcohol content of the cask and the number of litres remaining within the cask, we have discussed these in more detail here.
If you would like to know exactly how much a specific cask of whisky is worth to sell or buy then please get in touch using the form at the top of this page.
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How much is in a cask of whisky?
There are several sizes of barrels used in the making of Scotch whisky. The most common are:
- Quarter cask 45-50 litres
- American Standard Barrel 190-200 litres
- Hogshead 225-250 litres
- Barrique 250-300 litres
- Puncheon 450-500 litres
- Butt 475-500 litres
- Machine Puncheon 500 litres
- Port Pipe 550-650 litres
- Drum 600-650 litres
It is important to note that the contents of a cask decreases at an average rate of 2% per year – known as the angel’s share. If you want to know how much whisky is in a cask older than 5 years then the cask should be regauged in order to get a current figure. What is a regauge?
What is a cask of whisky?
A cask of whisky is a volume of whisky which is maturing in a barrel – commonly referred to as a cask. The Barrels used to mature whisky are made of oak and if it is Scotch whisky then were most likely used for another purpose (such as making sherry or bourbon) before being filled with new spirit and left to mature for at least 3 years.
Bourbon must be matured in new oak casks.
What is a hogshead of whisky?
A hogshead is a type of cask used to mature whisky. A hogshead can contain 225-250 litres of alcohol. Hogshead are one of the most common type of cask used to mature Scotch whisky and are often made from ex-bourbon barrels.
What is a hogshead cask?
A hogshead cask is another name for a hogshead barrel as discussed above.
What does the age of a whisky mean?
The age of a whisky is the time the whisky was matured for in the barrel or cask.
Once it has been bottled a whisky does not continue to age as glass is inert.
What is a sherry oak?
Sherry oak means that the oak cask or barrel was originally used to mature sherry. Ex-sherry casks are the most expensive types of cask used in the maturing of Scotch whisky and whisky matured in sherry casks commands a premium.
Find out more about casks and how they mature whisky in our comprehensive guide to whisky casks.
What is a quarter cask?
A quarter cask is a cask of whisky that contains around 80 litres. Quarter casks are often used as they allow the whisky to mature faster than a larger cask, which allows the distillery to get more whisky to market in a shorter time frame.
Find out more about casks and how they mature whisky in our comprehensive guide to whisky casks.
What is a bourbon cask?
A Bourbon cask is a cask that has been previously used in the production of bourbon whiskey. Bourbon casks are made from American oak and charred on the inside. The subsequent layer of charcoal acts as a filter, removing any impurities and adding sought after flavours. By law, a cask can only be used once to make bourbon, which results in a surplus of ex-bourbon casks that can be used for Scotch whisky maturation.
Find out more about casks and how they mature whisky in our comprehensive guide to whisky casks.
What is the value of a cask of Springbank?
As no two casks are the same, it is impossible to give a value for a cask without knowing the specific details of that cask – much like you could not give the value of a car without knowing the mileage, age, etc. The value of a cask of Springbank depends on the following factors:
- Age of whisky
- Type of cask
- Size of cask
- Regauge details – alcoholic strength & either bulk litres or litres of alcohol
You can read more about how these factors impact the value of a Springbank cask here.
If you would like us to provide a free valuation on a cask you are looking to buy or sell then we are able to help. Please click here to fill in the form at the top of the page and someone will be in contact to discuss your cask of Springbank.
What is the value of a cask of Macallan?
The value of Macallan whisky varies from around £1,250 per regauged litre of alcohol to more than £4,000 per regauged litre of alcohol – which as you can see is a fairly large range. The reason for this variation is that no two casks are the same. Indeed, much like you could not give the value of a Ferrari without knowing the mileage, age, model etc., it is impossible to give an accurate value for a cask without knowing the specific details of that cask.
The value of a cask of Macallan depends on the following factors:
- Age of whisky
- Type of cask
- Size of cask
- Regauge details – alcoholic strength & either bulk litres or litres of alcohol
You can read more about how these factors impact the value of a cask here. And we have written a blog post on the finer details of variations in prices of Macallan casks.
If you would like us to provide a free valuation on a cask you are looking to buy or sell then we are able to help. Please click here to fill in the form at the top of the page and someone will be in contact to discuss your cask of Macallan.
What is the value of a cask of Ardbeg?
The value of Ardbeg whisky varies because no two casks are the same. Indeed, much like you could not give the value of a house without knowing the location, size, age, etc., it is impossible to give an accurate value for a cask without knowing the specific details of that cask.
The value of a cask of Ardbeg depends on the following factors:
- Age of whisky
- Type of cask
- Size of cask
- Regauge details – alcoholic strength & either bulk litres or litres of alcohol
You can read more about how these factors impact the value of a cask here.
If you would like us to provide a free valuation on a cask you are looking to buy or sell then we are able to help. Please click here to fill in the form at the top of the page, or use the form below and someone will be in contact to discuss your cask of Ardbeg.
