Welcome whisky enthusiasts, the whisky curious, and those new to this whole thing. Today, we’re delving into the world of whisky terminology and shedding light on some often-misunderstood concepts: single cask, single barrel, single malt, and double cask. We realise it can all be a little daunting and complex, so let’s unravel the mysteries behind these terms and explore what makes each one unique.
WHAT IS SINGLE MALT?
This term signifies a whisky made from malted barley and produced at a single distillery. It doesn’t mean it's from a single cask but rather that it’s made exclusively from malted barley without any other grains.
WHAT IS SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY?
This term signifies a whisky made from malted barley and produced at a single distillery in Scotland. Again, it doesn’t mean it’s from a single cask but rather that it’s made exclusively from malted barley without any other grains. The ’Scotch’ part refers to the whisky being distilled in Scotland.
WHAT IS SINGLE CASK MALT WHISKY?
Single cask malt whisky is whisky that is bottled from a single cask without any blending. Each cask has a unique story, influenced by its wood, previous contents (e.g. red wine, other whiskies or spirits), and ageing conditions. When you enjoy a single cask malt whisky, you’re often experiencing something quite rare and totally unique as there’s not usually more than a few hundred bottles released in a single cask malt whisky.
SINGLE BARREL vs. SINGLE CASK: IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?
To put it simply, single barrel and single cask mean the same thing, but the key difference lies in the country from which the terminology originates:
SINGLE BARREL:
This term typically refers to bourbon which is made in America, where each bottle comes from a unique barrel. The flavour profile can vary significantly from barrel to barrel within the same distillery due to factors like ageing conditions, barrel type or size, and grain variations.
SINGLE CASK:
In the world of Scotch whisky, the term ’single cask’ or ’single cask malt’ is used widely. It means that the whisky in a particular bottle comes from one single cask, as the name implies. Whisky in different casks can vary within the same distillery, just like bourbon. Single cask whisky doesn’t have to have spent it’s whole life in the same cask though, it can have spent a few years in one cask then transferred to another to mature for additional time. For instance, our very own AON 17-408, spent 4 years in an ex-Bourbon cask before being transferred to an ex-Tequila cask for its final year of maturation.
DOUBLE CASK:
The term ’double cask’ typically refers to a whisky that undergoes aging in two different types of casks as outlined above. We don't really use this terminology in Scotland, we just stick to calling it ’single cask’ then explain the cask finish, but in America this term is more common. This dual aging process allows the whisky to absorb distinct flavours from each cask. For example, it may be initially aged in bourbon casks and then transferred to sherry casks, creating a complex flavour profile. The second cask is also referred to as that ’finishing cask’.
IS SINGLE CASK WHISKY BETTER?
This is totally subjective and depends on personal preferences. Single cask whiskies can offer intense, one-of-a-kind flavour profiles that captivate connoisseurs seeking unique experiences. They allow you to explore the subtleties of ageing, wood influence, and the distillery’s character. However, they can also be quite different from the flagship, well-balanced expressions created through blending different casks together. So, ’better’ is a matter of taste.
In summary, all these terminologies for whiskies are related but distinct concepts, offering unique flavour experiences. Whether one is ’better’ than the other depends on individual taste.
And as we always say, we want to encourage everyone go and explore the world of whisky, and hopefully not get too caught up in the terminology - there’s a world of whisky to explore and enjoy – go and find what you like, and drink it as you like! If you’re interested in whisky cocktail ideas, you can find our extensive recipe list here.