Independence Day Drams: Our favourite whiskies aged in bourbon casks

With Independence Day coming up, we thought it was only right that we celebrate the influence that our whisky brethren across the pond have had on our beloved Scotch. Like Edgar Allen Poe, Herman Melville and even Uncle Sam himself, these whiskies are the perfect result of Scottish heritage meeting American culture; distilled in the heart of Scotland but finished in bourbon casks.

Oh yes, you’re not going to want to miss these. We’ve spoken about sherry casks before, but bourbon casks are a different beast entirely.

A quick history of bourbon casks:

Strap yourself in, this is going to be brief. If you’re after a more extensive history of casks, wood and coopering (in other words, you’re a whisky nerd) then you should check out our article on casks from a few weeks ago.

Prior to prohibition, the vast majority of Scotch was finished in sherry or madeira casks from Europe. After prohibition, however, the US government made it illegal for a bourbon cask to be used more than once (thanks to a lot of pressure from the Coopers Union).

Scottish distillers – renowned for their short arms and deep pockets – saw the opportunity to snap up bourbon casks at a cheap price while also giving their whiskies a darker colour and higher levels of vanilla and caramel notes.

In fact, today, over 90% of all Scotch whisky is maturing in American oak.

Our favourite whiskies aged in bourbon casks

Caol Ila 10 Year (Gordon & Macphail, 2015)

A smooth fusion of an iconic Island whisky and a bourbon cask, this Caol Ila was distilled in 2002 and then left to age and left for 13 years taking on the vanilla and caramel notes from the American cask. Bottled at cask strength (57% ABV), non-chill filtered and no colour (or color, if you’re across the pond) added – this is an unencumbered union of the peppery, smoky, peaty Caol Ila with the natural sweetness from the bourbon cask.

Talisker 5-Year-Old (Kingsbury, 2008)

Boy, this whisky is a match made in heaven.

The first thing you notice is the hallmark Talisker chilli and white pepper notes, then you notice the coastal power and elegance and then, as it develops, you notice the vanilla and caramel notes from the bourbon cask.

If you like your whisky from bourbon casks subtle, this is the whisky for you.

Benrinnes 18 Year (Maltman, 1997)

This isn’t just a showstopper, it’s the lovechild of all schools of whisky aging: American Oak or European Oak? Sherry casks, wine casks or bourbon casks?

This Benrinnes single malt has been triple matured 17 years in a bourbon cask, before spending 6 months in ruby port wood followed by a third and final maturation period in the finest Pedro Ximinez cask.

At first, you notice some sweet barley on the nose. Then, you’re hit with palate that has toffee and hints of dark chocolate, Christmas cake, treacle and figs. The finish is warming and smooth with some marzipan and sweet smoke.

You’ve just got to try this one.

Are you planning on toasting a dram this Independence Day? Why not snap a photo and tag us on social media? We’d love to see it.