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† Ralf Scholze


Premium (World), Meerbusch

The cooper

Constructing a barrel is a skill not given to most people - as the otherwise accomplished Robinson Crusoe discovered when marooned on his desert island.

Those used in the production of whisky come in a variety of sizes. In descending order: butts (500 litres), puncheons (450 litres), hogsheads (250 litres), American barrels (180 litres). Quarters (127 litres) and octaves (45 litres) fell out of use years ago, though are still occasionally revived for special presentations.

Whisky casks are continually recycled, with running repairs carried out to keep them serviceable. A cask used to mature whisky for the first time is called a "first fill cask". Those rebuilt or re-charred are "refill casks". The casks are remarkably durable, some lasting for 30 or 40 years, no doubt invigorated by the spirit they contain.

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