In the heart of Scotland’s whisky-producing region lies a place where the art of cask crafting thrives – the Speyside Cooperage. Recently, the team from Speyside Capital embarked on a journey to this renowned cooperage to uncover the intricacies of cask creation and its pivotal role in the world of whisky production and investment.
Speyside Cooperage has been a cornerstone of the whisky industry, constantly adapting to meet the ever-growing demand for whisky casks. Despite the shortage of wood and barrels in recent years, the cooperage’s operations have remained unscathed according to General Manager, Andrew Russell. The coopers’ skill and dedication ensure that quality casks continue to be crafted, maintaining the integrity of whisky maturation and those who own the casks.
Despite the surge in whisky sales in Asian markets, the impact has not directly altered the cooperage’s workflow. A testament to the the dedication of the cooperage and the coopers to maintaining tradition and meeting these ever-growing demands. Interestingly, Speyside Cooperage imports casks from the US, collaborating closely with their counterparts in Kentucky and Ohio, ensuring a constant flow of high-quality casks to meet industry requirements.
During the visit, Speyside Capital had the privilege of witnessing the artistry in action. The cooperage, the largest independent one in the UK, boasts coopers who begin their journey from a young age and evolve into skilled artisans. Up to 30 barrels can be crafted daily, showcasing the expertise of the precision required. Moreover, the cooperage holds the official world record for the fastest time to construct a 190L barrel.
Central to the discussion was the symbiotic relationship between the cask and it’s value. The wood’s interaction with the whisky not only influences both flavour and colour, but is also time spent. Underscoring the vital role cask creation, selection and treatment plays in shaping the final profile and value of the whisky.
Speyside Capital boasts a robust partnership with cooperages, enabling us to source top-tier casks for our clients seeking the creation of distinctive spirits through re-racking.
Discover more with Speyside Capital today about investing in Whisky, and how you can secure your very own high value cask made using techniques drawn from the cooperage.