New-make spirit must be aged in wooden casks for a minimum of three years to earn the label ‘Irish Whiskey’. This has been the way since 1916 when the decision that whiskey could no longer be sold straight from the pot still, was made. Different ages, new-make spirits and cask finishes will all contribute to the characteristics present in the whiskey. However, It can be argued that the cask affects up to 80% of a whiskey’s flavour. In an effort to produce a unique taste to differentiate their spirit from others, some producers will ‘finish’ the maturation process of their aged spirit in a different type of cask than what it was originally aged in, for what is usually a relatively short amount of time. This process is referred to as cask finishing.
Casks are incredibly important in whiskey maturation as the majority of the flavour of whiskey comes from the wood in these casks. The casks are never sealed air-tight, allowing the spirit to ‘breathe’. The air pressure pulls the spirit into the wood and releases it again. As the spirit seeps into the walls of the barrel it extracts flavours from the wood. The initial maturation stage gives whiskey its foundational flavours and characteristics. As a result, standard casks, such as bourbon, are popular for the initial maturation period as they produce flavours such as vanilla and caramel – mellow flavours that can be complimented by a heavier wood. Bourbon is ideal for bridging the initial maturation stage until completion and rounding out the flavour. The majority of our investors pick bourbon for this reason.
The majority of mass produced whiskey, such as the ones you would find for relatively low prices on supermarket shelves, are typically aged for the minimum length needed for whiskey (3 years) and in one single cask. Meaning whiskey armed with a maturation period that is longer than the minimum three years and with a different cask finish is typically viewed as more attractive to auctioneers, whiskey investors and drinkers alike as they are not as common. Although a popular choice, it is important to note that one of the first commercially available whiskies with a cask finish was created by Dave Stewart from the Balvenie distillery in Scotland in 1983. Therefore, whiskey with a cask finish over a certain age is incredibly difficult to find. Whilst age is a significant factor in determining the value of whiskey, a cask finish is a great way to yield higher returns from your portfolio.
Are you looking to produce a spirit that is uniquely yours for your investment portfolio? Get in touch with our team who will advise you on the best cask finishes and various cask types in relation to your investment goals.