Love them or otherwise, sherry casks are an integral part of the Scotch whisky industry and whisky matured in sherry casks remains some of the most popular whisky in the world in 2025. If you are looking at buying a cask this can make a sherry cask seem appealing. However sherry casks are not exactly […]
When we think of Scotch Whisky, on the surface it seems to be a relatively uncomplicated drink. But whether it is single malt, single grain or blended Scotch Whisky, there are a wide range of flavours and aromas that can be created from only three components or ingredients. There are many ways we can influence […]
Casks are an integral part of the making of whisky. From rare bottles that fetch millions of pounds at auction, to the bottles that line the supermarket shelves: all whisky has to lie in a cask. Scotch whisky, in particular, must mature in its cask for a minimum of three years, and lots of whisky […]
Casks come in all shapes and sizes, and so the answer to the question ‘how many bottles are in a whisky cask’ yields a fairly long answer. The most commonly found cask of whisky in Scotland is a hogshead, which can hold up to 357 x 70cl bottles (or 333 x 75cl bottles). Different cask […]
All over the world, whisky must be stored in casks for a certain number of years before it can be called whisky (or bourbon, or whiskey depending on where you are). Experts suggest 60 to 80% of a whisky’s flavour is imparted through reactions in the cask. Even a whisky’s colour is created by the […]
When we think of Scotch Whisky, on the surface it seems to be a relatively uncomplicated drink. Be it malt, grain or blended Scotch Whisky, there are a wide range of flavours and aromas that can be created from only three components or ingredients. However the reality is that there are many ways we can […]
In part two of the Romance of the Cask series we are exploring the past life of a whisky cask and what that has to do with the taste of your whisky. Specifically we’re looking at what your cask was used to store previously, and how many times it has been used to mature whisky. […]
In the third part of our Romance of the Cask series we are discussing the effects of toasting versus charring and explaining why size does matter when it comes to cask maturation. If you haven’t already you can read parts one and two.
In the final part of our Romance of the Cask series we are discussing the end. Specifically we are looking at how warehouses, including their location, can impact your whisky, what finishing is, and what is in store for a cask once it can no longer be used for whisky. If you haven’t already you […]