CULT CASKS & RARE FINISHES

A relatively recent phenomenon in the world of single malts, dating to the early 1990s, experimental cask finishes are now a critical component of many high-end whisky brands’ offerings — and other spirits are starting to take note. From fine French spirits to rum, tequila, gin and even aperitifs, intriguing cask finishes are now popping up across all categories, offering whole new perspectives and styles and pushing the boundaries of what was once thought possible and acceptable to enthusiasts.

Many credit David C. Stewart at famed single malt Scotch distillery The Balvenie with having pioneered the cask finish movement when he debuted The Balvenie DoubleWood Aged 12 Years in 1993, one of the