At Annandale Distillery, one of our routes to flavour diversity is barrel aging our spirit in different varieties of ex-bourbon barrels. Fresh fill ex-bourbon barrels previously held only bourbon, they are bursting with fresh oak character that readily transfers into the spirit along with residual amounts of bourbon. Refill bourbon barrels, on the other hand, initially matured bourbon, then they were shipped to Annandale and filled with our spirit. Once disgorged, they are ready for refilling. These casks offer a more subtle oak influence, allowing Annandale’s inherently fruity character to shine through, creating nuanced, delicate final whisky. In the past, we have bottled refill casks with the following characteristics: creamy vanilla and caramel, followed by fresh orchard fruits, grape skin, and hints of oak, complemented by fresh summer berries, including blackcurrant and blackberries, as well as almonds and hazelnuts, all rounded off with a warm buttery finish. These casks are quickly becoming a favourite among our Sensory Panel and our Founder, David Thomson. Their ability to balance rich bourbon influence with Annandale’s signature spirit character makes them an exceptional choice for whisky maturation.
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