Simply put, when whisky is transferred to sherry casks after its original maturation, it doesn’t directly absorb the flavour of sherry.

Instead, the sherry cask enhances the whisky’s flavour by highlighting notes of dried fruits, nuts, and spices found in sherry.

The flavours left in the sherry cask’s wood adds depth and complexity to the whisky.

A Brief History Of Cask Finishing

Cask finishing was pioneered by Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE at Balvenie Distillery in 1983.

Stewart first experimented with this technique by maturing whisky in American oak casks before transferring it to sherry casks, resulting in the creation of The Balvenie Classic.

In the last four decades, cask finishing has significantly shaped innovation in the Scotch whisky industry.

Factors That Influence Cask Finishing

The process of ageing whisky is both an art and a science.

When considering cask finishes, it’s crucial that the cask and its previous contents complement the intrinsic flavour of the whisky.

For instance, a Port wine cask can overpower a light grain whisky, while the influence of a white wine cask, such as Chardonnay, may be less pronounced with a heavily peated whisky.

Cask Types For Finishing Whisky

Common casks used in secondary maturation include Sherry, Port, Bourbon, wine, rum, Madeira, and Cognac, to name a few.

Different cask finishes impart unique flavours, aromas, and textures to the whisky.

By experimenting with various casks, distillers can explore new possibilities and create distinctive whisky that stand out.

Why Is Cask Finishing Important For Old Durbar?

The practice of cask finishing is a key element in our whisky making process.

Our whiskies develop their distinctive character through maturation in two types of cask: ex-bourbon and sherry.

Old Durbar 15 Year Old, for instance, is a Blended Malt Scotch Whisky that is first matured in ex-bourbon casks for 15 years and then finished in both Oloroso sherry casks and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks.