American whiskey cask finishes aren’t essentially new. Many are completed in Sherry, Port or Madeira casks, following a conventional methodology that Scotch producers have been utilizing for many years.
Nevertheless, extra distilleries at the moment are ending their American whiskeys in additional unconventional secondary casks to discover native finishes and create a particular, flavourful profile that’s distinctive to the US.
The way forward for American ending
Adjustments in the way in which distillers are utilizing American cask finishes are on the rise – and with none intention of slowing down.
The impartial bottler of American whiskey, Misplaced Lantern, not too long ago highlighted in the present day’s newest cask improvements in its Spring Assortment 2025. Merchandise embody Andalusia Tequila Completed Peated Texas Single Malt Single Cask, completed in an ex-añejo Tequila cask, and the Starlight Honey Completed Indiana Straight Bourbon Single Cask, aged in a former honey cask.
Misplaced Lantern’s Spring Assortment 2025
‘Each one of many finishes we selected for the Spring Assortment is a part of what we see as the brand new frontier of American ending, and was chosen particularly to assist illustrate that idea,’ says Adam Polonski, Misplaced Lantern co-founder. ‘We wished to provide individuals entry to those new and thrilling finishes as a result of they’re scrumptious and since we see these as a significant a part of the way forward for American whiskey.’
Creating an ideal stability
Discovering stability in elements and approach is essential when making American whiskey, particularly if incorporating a second cask end. Melinda Maddox, grasp blender at Colorado’s Outdated Elk Distillery, explains that the secondary cask programme isn’t meant to cover the unique whiskey however to reinforce the completely different grain qualities in Outdated Elk’s three mashbills.
‘It’s sort of like a bell curve, and also you wish to discover that peak,’ says Maddox. ‘Every completely different model of cask goes to affect the whiskey uniquely, not solely due to what was within the cask initially, however as a result of every kind of whiskey will mature at its personal tempo.’
Justin Aden, head blender of Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey, says his merchandise materialised after taking part in round with a number of acquired barrels. They embody Diamond Peak Caribbean Rum Cask, completed in Caribbean rum casks, and Empire State Brandy Cask completed in barrels that when held New York applejack brandy.
Justin Aden. Credit score Sam Gentry
‘However it’s not simply experimenting,’ he says. ‘You need to be sure you’re skilled about it, and you’ve got a pipeline for issues that work. That’s one thing that’s so enjoyable about this job.’
Room for creativity
Utilizing cask finishes is an artwork type and permits for loads of creativity. To say the Connecticut-based spirits firm, Veritable Distillery, has enjoyable with its finishes is an understatement.
Finneas Pryor, vice chairman and distiller at Veritable, ages Ship’s Bell Bourbon – his high-barley, high-rye blended bourbon whiskey – with a number of seven completely different cask sorts. They embody ex-rye, ex-bourbon, new oak barrels, ex-Port hogsheads, ex-Madeira hogsheads, ex-Sherry hogsheads and ex-rum barrels.
Finneas Pryor
‘We take this method as a result of it permits us to place the identical spirit in a wide range of casks, then monitor and familiarise ourselves with how the whiskey develops via its full maturation,’ says Pryor. ‘From there, we are able to begin to course when, how, and why we might wish to switch, harvest, or mix that cask, which grants us a tremendous quantity of creativity.’
Native color
Stoutridge Distillery & Vineyard is a husband and spouse workforce based mostly in Marlboro, New York, and prides itself on utilizing native elements to make its small batch spirits. Homeowners and distillers Stephen Osborn and Kim Wagner craft a single malt from the property’s personal flooring malting and age it in casks they’ve instantly on-hand, together with a California Pinot Noir French oak barrel. ‘These wine barrels are very uncommon for single malt as a result of they’re so costly,’ Osborn says. ‘However as a vineyard, we’ve got quick access.’
Alex Clark, co-founder of Fort Hamilton Distillery in Brooklyn, can be a fan of the unconventional. He ages his rye in cask finishes that embody Armagnac, maple and an iced apple cider that’s unique to Boutique Wines, Spirits and Ciders in Fishkill, NY. Clark additionally works with the mead distributor Mutiny Distribution to create a mead barrel end, honouring his late grandfather, who was a beekeeper. It affords a flavour profile he describes as: ‘Bees buzzing via a summer season Meadow’.
Fort Hamilton co-founders Alex Clark and Amy Grindeland
Whereas the mead and Armagnac finishes can be found to buy on-line, the others are solely meant to be bought at Fort Hamilton’s tasting room. ‘These initiatives are designed to be inventive on a smaller scale and to drive enterprise to the distillery,’ Clark says. ‘People who find themselves actually eager or nerdy about their whiskey can come and examine them out right here.’
Beginning new traditions
The usage of Sherry, Port and Madeira cask finishes will at all times be prevalent when ageing American whiskey. Nevertheless, extra distilleries are beginning to experiment with new and revolutionary strategies to create one thing much more distinctive that can’t be replicated elsewhere.
‘Cask ending is a approach for whiskey producers to innovate, get inventive and attain new and completely different ingesting audiences,’ says Maddox. ‘Just like how the eating and ingesting scene has been influenced by farm-to-table and the craft motion, ending American whiskeys in distinctive casks permits for the chance to inform a brand new story about our whiskeys and create a shareable expertise.’
US cask-finish whiskeys: Six to attempt
Fort Hamilton Continental Assortment Armagnac Completed
Distilled from 90% rye and 10% malted barley, then aged in Armagnac barrels sourced from the South of France. A nostril filled with fig and plum with a palate simply as fruity for a jammy end. A stand-out for a Sazerac. Alc 59.2%
Misplaced Lantern Andalusia Tequila Completed Peated Texas Single Malt Single Cask
Aged in a barrel that held an Andalusia single malt smoked with Texas wooden and completed in an ex-Añejo tequila cask. Wealthy notes of butterscotch and smoke hit the nostril with a mixture of creamy vanilla and grassy flavour on the tongue. A should for a Whiskey Paloma. Alc 61.2%
Outdated Elk Cognac Cask End Wheat
Aged a minimal of six years with a further 12 months completed in French Limousine Cognac Casks. Apricot and candied orange on the nostril, adopted by honeycomb and caramel with an extended end. Superb by itself served neat. Alc 47.5%
Stoutridge Southern Ulster Single Malt
Distilled malt whiskey from Stoutridge’s personal flooring maltings that’s aged in Pinot Noir wine barrels, then completed in ex-Laphroaig Scotch whisky barrels. Candy vanilla and caramel aromas accompanied by a smooth and easy texture with hints of smoke. A strong wager for a highball. Alc 46%
Stranahan’s Diamond Peak Caribbean Rum Cask
Distilled with 100% malted barley, handmade in small batches on the Stranahan’s distillery, first aged in virgin American Oak Barrels, then Caribbean rum casks. Heat aromas of dried fruit and crème brûlée are adopted by brown sugar and spice. Give your conventional Darkish ‘N’ Stormy an improve. Alc 45%
Veritable Ship’s Bell Bourbon
Blended with an American single malt Whiskey that’s been aged in Connecticut for 3 years in ex-bourbon barrels from Bardstown Distillery. Notes of nutty caramel apple are led by candy, heat oak with a easy caramel end. A worthy choice for a New York Bitter. Alc 43%
