Need a cheat sheet for the different types of casks used to finish whisky? This guide covers the seven main categories. You’ll be tasting the difference between port and sherry finishes in no time!
WOOD FINISH
Common Cask Name: Barrel
Wood: Virgin American oak, Irish oak, Japanese oak, etc.
Volume: Usually 200 – 500 liters, though quarter casks are 80 liters
Comes from: Country of origin
Typical flavors: Spice, vanilla, sweet oak
Get tasting: Midleton Dair Ghaelach, Octomore 7.4, Arran The Bothy Quarter Cask
WINE FINISH
Common Cask Name: Barrel or barrique
Wood: Typically French oak
Volume: Up to 220 liters
Comes from: Local to each wine region, e.g. Bordeaux, France
Typical flavors: Varies according to wine. Sauternes has notes of fresh bread, tart au citron, and crème caramel. Bordeaux gives red berry, cherry, and plum.
Get tasting: Glenmorangie Quarter Century, Glenfiddich Age of Discovery 19 year old Red Wine Cask Finish, Glenmorangie Pride 1981
PORT FINISH
Common Cask Name: Pipe or barrique
Wood: Usually French oak
Volume: Up to 600 liters for a port pipe, up to 220 liters for a port barrique
Comes from: Portugal
Typical flavors: Berry fruits, red currant, sultana
Get tasting: Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban, Angel’s Envy Port Barrel Finish, Laphroaig Brodir, Balvenie PortWood 21 year old.
SHERRY FINISH
Common Cask Name: Butt or puncheon
Types: Pedro Ximénez, oloroso, amontillado, fino, manzanilla, etc.
Wood: European or American oak
Volume: Up to 500 liters
Comes from: Jerez, Spain
Typical flavors: Dates, walnut, sultana
Get tasting: Balvenie DoubleWood, Lagavulin Distillers Edition, Glenmorangie Lasanta
MADEIRA FINISH
Common Cask Name: Drum
Wood: Portuguese oak
Volume: Up to 650 liters
Comes from: Portugal
Typical flavors: Sweet fruits, figs, spice,
Get tasting: Laphroaig Cairdeas 2016, Tyrconnell 10 year old Madeira Cask Finish
RUM FINISH
Common Cask Name: Puncheon
Wood: American oak
Volume: Up to 500 liters
Comes from: Caribbean
Typical flavors: Molasses, vanilla, tropical fruits
Get tasting: Balvenie Caribbean Cask, Teeling Small Batch Rum Cask Finish, Angel’s Envy Rum Cask Finish
BEER FINISH
Common Cask Name: Barrel
Wood: American oak
Volume: Up to 200 liters
Comes from: Usually a local brewery
Typical flavors: Sweetness, malt, creamy
Get tasting: Glenfiddich IPA Experiment, Jameson Caskmates, Mackmyra Vinterrök
