Cask 88 unveils quarter cask-finished whisky series

by Melita Kiely

Scotch whisky bottler Cask 88 has created a limited edition series comprising four expressions that have been finished in smaller sized quarter casks.

The Cask 88 Eighty Eight Series features bottlings from Bunnahabhain, Highland Park, Caol Ila and Bladnoch. The first release is a 27-year-old Bladnoch, the oldest whisky in the series. Bottled at 55.6% abv, the whisky was distilled on 10 July 1990 and first matured in an ex-Sherry hogshead before being finished in an ex-Sherry quarter cask for nine months. It has an RRP of US$569.99 (£439). The nine-year-old Caol Ila has been bottled at 58.9% abv and is priced at RRP US$239.99 (£189). It was distilled on 12 June 2008, and then aged in a refill hogshead before being finished in an ex-Sherry quarter cask for nine months. A nine-year-old Bunnahabhain also features in the range, with an abv of 57.8% and an RRP of US$239.99 (£119). Distilled on 10 June 2008, the whisky was originally matured in a refill ex-Sherry butt, before spending three months in an ex-Sherry quarter cask. Completing the range is a 14-year-old Highland Park, distilled on 8 May 2003, bottled at 54.8% and priced at RRP US$154.99 (£189). The liquid was initially left to age in an ex-Bourbon hogshead before being finished in an ex-Sherry quarter cask for seven months. Patrick Costello, Asia-Pacific sales director, said: “The smaller cask size maximises the contact between the spirit and the wood, theoretically producing a whisky with a stronger, more complex flavour. “Whereas the wider industry favours larger casks to produce whisky on scale, we wanted to select something a little different and focus on producing small batch whiskies that excite the senses. “We have high hopes for the Eighty Eight Series, in part because the number holds great significance for the business and our partners and clients in China, where we have an office and sales team. “The number 88 is the luckiest number in Chinese culture, bringing good fortune and prosperity.”