Scotch to be matured in new cask types

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) have now amended the Scotch Whisky Technical File (update not yet online though) to allow more types of casks for maturing or finishing Scotch whisky.

The amendment is as follows, as reported by scotchwhisky.com:

The spirit must be matured in new oak casks and/or in oak casks which have only been used to mature wine (still or fortified) and/or beer/ale and/or spirits with the exception of:

- wine, beer/ale or spirits produced from, or made with, stone fruits
- beer/ale to which fruit, flavouring or sweetening has been added after fermentation
- spirits to which fruit, flavouring or sweetening has been added after distillation

and where such previous maturation is part of the traditional processes for those wines, beers/ales or spirits.

Regardless of the type of cask used, the resulting product must have the traditional colour, taste and aroma characteristics of Scotch Whisky.

This means that in time we will probably see Scotch matured in ex-tequila, ex-gin, ex-calvados etc.

I believe this is a good thing, as the whisky distilleries will have access to more casks, and we the end-consumers will se wider variety and possibly some exciting new products.

Sláinte!
- Thomas