Scotch Whisky Barrels

American Standard Barrel (ASB)

Sherry butts

Other barrels

Select here to learn more about American Standard Barrels.

Select here to learn more about sherry butts.

Select here to learn more about other barrels.

American Standard Barrels (ASB)As a result of the regulations that state that key American Whiskies can only be aged in new oak barrels, there is an active secondary market for ASBs.Scottish distillers buy a significant percentage of these barrels.The majority are typically shipped to Scotland as whole barrels. On arrival, it is normal for the ASBs to be taken apart and rebuilt into a slightly larger format called a hogshead. This allows distillers to store more spirit per volume of warehouse. The barrels are not shipped with liquid in them and this, together with the reconstruction, means that the staves do not retain any moisture from their previous contents.

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Sherry buttsSherry is a fortified wine that is made in the region of Jerez located in south west Spain. Scotch whisky is sometimes aged in ex-Sherry butts.When the butts are ready, they are emptied and shipped directly to Scotland. During the shipping, some of the wine is left in the butt. The wine that is left in the butt ensures that it stays moist and the staves do not dry out and shrink. As soon as the butt arrives in Scotland the remaining Sherry is drained out and then the butt is immediately filled with newly made whisky.What can the distillery control?

• the specific period the Sherry is aged in
• the species of wood used to make the butt
• the type of wine
• the length of time the butt is seasoned for

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What are the affects of aging in a ex-sherry butt?There are three main styles of dry Sherry: Fino, Amontillado and Oloroso. There is one important style of sweet Sherry, PX (an abbreviation of Pedro Ximenez). Of these styles, Amontillado and Oloroso are the styles of wine that are most commonly used for cask seasoning. These barrels can give a Scotch aroma of dried fruit and dried orange peel. PX barrels are also used by a number of distilleries. PX barrels can give a raisined aroma to the whisky.

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Other barrels – There is a wide range of other barrels that are used in Scotch whisky production for finishing. They include the following:PortMadeiraBordeauxSauternesRum CalvadosBeer

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