R – as in Refill Cask

What does the term Refill Cask mean?

Translated from English, a refill cask is a barrel that has been refilled.

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What makes a Refill Cask?

A refill cask is a cask that has been filled at least twice, either with new make or with already aged whisky. It is therefore a cask in which whisky has already matured and which was then used a second time for the maturation of whisky.

What types of refill casks are there?

There are no limits. It can be former bourbon, sherry, port, rum, red wine casks, etc. The important thing for the nomenclature is only that whisky has already matured in this cask, regardless of its origin, before it was refilled.

How does a Bourbon Cask become a Refill Cask?

A bourbon cask is a cask, usually with a capacity of 190 litres (American Standard Barrel), which is made from fresh American white oak and has been charred inside with an open flame before being filled with the fresh distillate ("white dog"). After a minimum maturation period of two years, this content may be called Bourbon Whiskey and the cask can be emptied. These casks may not be used again for the maturation of bourbon in the USA and are therefore exported to other countries. If such a former bourbon cask is now filled with fresh distillate or a whisky, e.g. from a Scottish or German distillery, this cask is called a first-fill bourbon cask, i.e. a bourbon cask that has been filled for the first time. If this cask is refilled after emptying, it is called a second-fill, also known as a refill cask. And if it is used again, it is called a third-fill or also a refill cask.

What is the difference between Refill and Second-Fill?

Refill Cask is the umbrella term and includes a Second-fill Cask, Third-fill Cask, etc. The terms Second- and Third-fill are more specific and indicate the exact number of previous whisky fillings of the cask. In this case, it is the second or third filling. The term Refill Cask is less specific in this regard, as the exact number of previous whisky fillings (at least one time) is not clear from it.

How often is a cask refilled?

This depends on the philosophy of the respective distillery. Some only fill their casks a maximum of twice and then sort them out. Others use the casks a third or even a fourth time.

Does a Refill Cask still release aromas?

Absolutely. But it is also clear that with each maturation, the aromatic substances contained in the staves decrease, as they are extracted by the maturing distillate with each filling.

What is the advantage of using a Refill Cask?

If, for example, a distillate or whisky has matured in a very active cask and has already taken on distinct woody notes, it may be useful to transfer the contents of this active cask to a refill cask. This allows the whisky to continue maturing through oxidation with atmospheric oxygen and other chemical reactions, but no intensive woody aromas are released from the cask to the maturing contents.

Are there whiskies that are particularly matured in refill casks?

That's hard to say. There are always single malt whiskies that have spent their entire maturation period in a refill cask. Sometimes it is noticeable that grain whiskies, especially those with an age of 20 years or more, come from refill casks. The advantage is that the wood no longer releases such intense aromas to the maturing contents, and thus the distillery character of the whisky is preserved longer and can develop further without being "overwhelmed" by the cask or the previous contents.