What does Cask Type Mean?

When discussing Scotch whisky, you might hear questions like, “What cask type was it aged in?” or “Was it aged in a bourbon cask?” If you’re new to whisky terminology, these questions can be confusing. It seems odd to ask if Scotch, which is distinctly not bourbon, was aged in a bourbon cask.

The confusion arises from the history and legal regulations surrounding different types of whisky and their aging processes.

Let’s clarify some terms:

• Scotch whisky: Whisky distilled and aged in Scotland.
• Whisky: A distilled spirit typically made from grains like barley or rye.
• Bourbon: An American whiskey aged in new, charred oak casks.
• Cask: A wooden barrel used for aging whisky.
• Virgin oak: Oak that hasn’t been used to age whisky before.

Casks often have a long and international life. For example, a new oak cask might be used to age bourbon in the United States for several years. After the bourbon is removed, the cask can no longer be used for bourbon. These “used” casks are often shipped to other countries to be reused.

This is where the term “bourbon cask” comes in. It means the cask was previously used to age bourbon. Scotch whisky can then be aged in this “bourbon cask.”

Bourbon must be aged in new oak casks, while Scotch whisky is usually aged in casks that have already been used, often for bourbon.

But what does a Bourbon cask do to the Scotch? Well, those ex-Bourbon barrels impart a great deal of flavors. Think vanilla sweetness, a touch of caramel, and maybe a hint of toasted coconut. The cask is sharing parts of its past life with the Scotch whisky, adding layers of complexity and warmth.

So, when someone says a Scotch is a “bourbon cask” whisky, they mean the Scotch was aged in a cask that previously held bourbon.

This explanation focuses on bourbon casks, but the same principle applies to Scotch aged in Sherry casks, wine casks, rum casks, and others. The key is that the cask previously held a different spirit or wine.