Port cask matured whisky brings a different sort of fruitiness to the glass like ripe berries, plums and cherries. Depending on the whisky, port casks can add richness and depth or create an intriguing contrast with a spirit that’s already full of character.
One of the things we love about port cask whisky is the unexpected combinations it can throw up. Rich berry fruit and spice are all well and good but add a smoky Islay malt or a whisky with a distinctly coastal character and things get even more interesting. It’s a style that can surprise you, even if you think you know what to expect from the distillery.
What Is Port Cask Matured Whisky?
Port is a fortified wine traditionally produced in Portugal’s Douro Valley. Once the wine has been matured, its oak casks can be used to mature whisky bringing their own influence from both the wood and the port held in them.
In your glass, that might mean juicy red berries and cherries or deeper notes of plum, raisin and warming spice. Like all maturation, much depends on the whisky itself, the type of port and cask and whether the whisky matures in the cask for years or spends just a short time finishing in it.
The really interesting part is how port casks interact with the character of the whisky. Looking at two very different takes on Port cask whisky, Glasgow 1770 7 Year Old Ruby Port Cask Matured is a younger Glasgow single malt with a ruby port cask influence that offers a chance to see how this Lowland distillery’s character develops with a different style of maturation. Meanwhile, Old Pulteney Port Cask lets you explore port flavour influences while bringing its own coastal personality to the picture.
Buy Port Cask Matured Whisky at Royal Mile Whiskies
Browse our current selection of port cask matured whisky online or visit us in one of our whisky shops in Edinburgh, St Andrews or York. Our team are always happy to talk through the options and help you choose a bottle with the right character.
We offer delivery around the world, bringing a little port cask intrigue to your doorstep and you don’t just take our word for it as our customers have left us plenty of lovely five-star reviews.
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