What does cask strength mean?

Cask strength describes the alcoholic strength of a whisky bottling, often close to the strength of the cask contents at bottling.

Does cask strength automatically mean single cask?

No. Cask strength describes alcoholic strength. Single cask describes an origin from one individual cask.

Cask strength: what it means for whisky

Cask strength describes the alcoholic strength of a bottling. The term does not say whether a whisky comes from one cask or is made from several casks.

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Strength at bottling

The alcoholic strength of a bottling is stated as alcohol by volume. Cask strength generally refers to a bottling that is close to the strength of the cask contents at bottling.

How a bottling is presented should always be clear from the bottle and product information.

Cask strength is not single cask

Single cask describes an origin from one individual cask. Cask strength describes alcoholic strength. The two can appear together, but they mean different things.

A good cask profile keeps these terms distinct.

Experiencing flavour consciously

A higher alcoholic strength can change how aromas are perceived. How whisky is enjoyed is a personal choice and should always be approached responsibly.

The strength information helps put a bottling into context.

Journal

Continue the cask story.

Three carefully chosen reads that add the next useful chapter.

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Frequently asked questions

What does cask strength mean?: Cask strength describes the alcoholic strength of a whisky bottling, often close to the strength of the cask contents at bottling.
Does cask strength automatically mean single cask?: No. Cask strength describes alcoholic strength. Single cask describes an origin from one individual cask.