Storing Whisky Casks - The Right Conditions for Your Home

How to properly store a whisky cask at home?

The right conditions for whisky storage

Generally, whisky casks should be stored at mild temperatures and a relative humidity of 75-85%. In addition, the whisky cask should be protected from direct sunlight, and good ventilation of the storage room also has a positive effect.

The right climate

If the room is too dry, so-called dry damage can occur to the cask. This can lead to cracks, which may also cause significant leaks. This considerably diminishes the value of the cask as a container.

The Angel's Share significantly increases with overly dry room air, meaning more is lost to the environment. Another effect is that more water is lost than alcohol, which increases the %vol in the cask, and the alcohol volume can exceed the alcohol strength at the time of filling the cask.

What are the most important factors for cask storage at home?

The temperature should ideally be between 10 and 18 °C. Of course, a cask can withstand colder temperatures and the whisky won't freeze, but the whisky would not mature well at colder temperatures. Similarly, the cask can also withstand hotter temperatures, but in this case, the Angel's Share would be significantly higher. Rapid and large temperature fluctuations should also be avoided, as this causes tension in the wood and can lead to damage and thus leaks.
Excessive maturation can also produce undesirable aromas.

Direct sunlight also causes tension in the wood. This should also be avoided to prevent damage.

Ventilation when storing whisky

Regular ventilation ensures the supply of oxygen. Oxygen is very important, because without oxygen there is no oxidation and thus no maturation of the whisky. In addition, alcohol is removed from the air in the room. Due to evaporation, the concentration of alcohol in the air is very high and also very prominent to the nose. Ventilation at night or at cooler temperatures is generally more advantageous here.

St. Kilian guarantees optimal storage of your cask

Through our Private Cask program, you can acquire your own whisky cask. All 30l whisky casks are stored with us in our cask warehouses on-site at the distillery. Here, we have created optimal storage for the whisky casks with various sensors. All the factors mentioned above are essential components for perfect storage and thus for optimal whisky maturation.

Are you interested in your own whisky cask or would you like more information?