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Bourbon cask whisky

This page lists whiskies matured or finished, at least in part, in casks that previously held American bourbon, and compares their current UK prices. US rules require bourbon to be stored in charred new oak, so used casks are plentiful.

Ex-bourbon casks tend to give vanilla, honey and coconut notes and a lighter colour, and a first-fill cask has more influence than a refill. The bottles here run from Arran Barrel Reserve and Jura 12 Year Old to the Irish whiskeys Jameson Black Barrel and Redbreast. We tag from names and descriptions, so many bourbon-matured whiskies are missing; treat this page as a starting set, not a complete one. For the American whiskey itself, see bourbon.

For how the casks are made and reused, see Whiskipedia on bourbon casks. Prices are the best current in-stock offer from the UK retailers we check (how we compare prices).

253 bottles in stock, with the best current price from the UK retailers we check.

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Questions

What is the cheapest bourbon cask whisky?
The cheapest bourbon cask whisky is Proper No. Twelve (12) (40% ABV, 70cl), at £24.00 from The Whisky Shop. That is £28.99 delivered to the UK mainland for one bottle. Next cheapest: Tullamore DEW (£24.09) and Speyburn 10 Year Old (£25.00).
How much does bourbon cask whisky cost?
Bourbon cask whisky costs from £24.00 to £1,750.00, with a median of £68.69 for a full-size bottle. The dearest is Rosebank 31 Year Old.
What is the oldest bourbon cask whisky you can buy?
Invergordon Murray McDavid Mission Gold Series Single Bourbon 1972 50 year old Whisky, at 50 years old, from £496.99.
What is a bourbon cask?
A bourbon cask is an American oak barrel that has held bourbon. US law requires bourbon to be stored at no more than 125 proof in charred new oak containers, so each barrel can only be used once for bourbon and large numbers are sold on to Scotch and other whisky makers. Bourbon barrels are the most common cask in Scotch, ahead of sherry butts, and are usually made of American white oak (Quercus alba).
How big is a bourbon barrel, and what is a hogshead?
A bourbon barrel, the American Standard Barrel, holds about 200 litres. Many are broken down into staves and shipped to Scotland, where coopers often rebuild them with extra staves and new ends into hogsheads of about 225 to 250 litres. A hogshead holds more whisky in the same warehouse space but gives slightly less wood contact than a barrel.
What flavours does a bourbon cask give whisky?
American white oak is rich in vanillin, so ex-bourbon casks typically give vanilla, caramel and toffee, with coconut and nutty notes and some toast from the charring. Bourbon barrels are made by machine to consistent standards, so their effect is fairly predictable, which suits distillers aiming for a consistent house style.
What is the difference between a first-fill and a refill cask?
A first-fill cask is being filled with whisky for the first time since it held its previous drink, such as bourbon, so it gives the strongest flavour. Scotch distillers can reuse casks as often as they like, and each later fill (second fill, refill) takes less from the increasingly exhausted wood. Tired casks can be shaved and re-charred to rejuvenate them.