Issue 167 | Whisky Magazine 59
Production Port Casks
E
very type of cask has
something in common,
contributing vanilla notes
being a prime example, but
each also has something individual
to offer malt whisky. Port casks for
instance dispense strawberries,
raspberries, blackberries, sloes and
damsons, accompanied by distinct
Ǥβ
βǤ
“Port casks lift and lengthen malt
whisky, making it more expansive and
richer. If a fruity, malty style can be
said to sit in the middle of a piano, a
Port cask also takes this up an octave
β
minty notes with damson and dark
fruit. Port casks also take a malt down
an octave into bitter-sweet, like dark
chocolate which has a fruitiness,” says
Rachel Barrie, master blender, BenRiach
Co, which includes GlenDronach,
BenRiach and Glenglassaugh.
Such an impact requires master
blenders to play the role of matchmaker.
“You must ensure the character
of your malt is compatible with the
β
Ǥǡ
example, has the body and character to
βǤ
“I’m looking for Port to display its
beautiful red fruit notes, and add a
velvet texture,” says Richard Paterson,
Whyte & Mackay’s master blender.
Casks are typically ex-ageing stock
sold by Port houses to cooperages,
which in turn supply distilleries in
Scotland. Direct relationships between
distilleries and Port houses exist, but
are rarer.
“For The Dalmore I have an exclusive
contract with Graham’s Port, stipulating
an annual number of Port casks, though
we’re also looking for any additional
casks that Graham’s Port can supply,”
adds Richard.
Port casks are coopered from
American or European oak (the
latter being more traditional). Both
βǡ
ǡβ
of American oak is usually less intense
than European oak, which has higher
tannin levels.
The interiors are toasted (but not
Ȍβǡ
the heat breaking down some of the
oak’s structural components.
Ǯ
ǯβ
compounds such as vanillin (which
gives vanilla notes) within the toasted
layer of oak.
Cooperages offer varying levels of
toasting, from ‘light’ to ‘heavy plus,’
typically resulting in a two to three
millimetre toasted layer.
“Differences between European
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