What is Cask Strength?

[@madalinsirbu4004]

Those videos are great! I swear you can enjoy them even without being a whisky drinker.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

That's a great compliment, thanks!

[@actual_ice_lord4068]

I have the pleasure of owning a bottle of Laphroaig 10 cask strength. It is truly magnificent. And a video idea: a video about barrels, barrel production, and how different barrels will affect the whiskey differently.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@derekritter6214]

I agree, that would be interesting

[@steveamsp]

Great topic. Love seeing the discord discussions popping up already.

[@RalphGB]

Thanks for setting the record straight!

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

You got it!

[@LoudNinjasCG]

What is cask strength? the nectar of the gods!

[@djbeacon6895]

Amen!

[@mariomonroe8051]

Amen man drinking some rye cask strength whiskey right now

[@djbeacon6895]

Bill, Thanks for the educational video. So barrel proof, barrel strength and cask strength are the same or are there small differences? I've heard stories that some barrel proof unfiltered bourbons up over 130 proof can look strange due to some materials separating out. Any plans for a special Thanksgiving theme video?

[@Dreamer5211]

Hi Bill , thanks I really appreciated the lesson , I had a feeling that is what cask strength was , but you gave an excellent description , top notch !! Have a grand weekend , O__ I never knew you could buy the limestone water !! It would be a treat to buy a really high ABV Bourbon and added small amounts of water to find all the different notes and finishes. Thanks again , GR8 stuff !! YES , I would love to know more , also it is very good to know that cask strength whiskey is not colored !! Take care , Gary 

[@keithrose4227]

I may be overthinking this but is there a difference between cask strength and barrel strength?

[@LuisRivera-dg5bu]

This is such an excellent channel. I’m surprised it has the low number of views that it does.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

I appreciate that a lot. I haven't quite found out how to make it larger. Part of it I think is revenue stream. Whiskey is expensive, and so is better gear so I have to devote so much time to volume and not exciting new concepts I want to do.

[@BeanDip125]

I already knew what cask strength was, I just love watching your videos

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

You're the man!

[@BeanDip125]

@@TheWhiskeyDictionary i just found a bottle of macallan cask strength red label, I looked it up and it's discontinued, it's worth over 2000 dollars!

[@BeanDip125]

@@TheWhiskeyDictionary it's such an opportunity to taste this while I can

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

What did it end up running you?

[@BeanDip125]

@@TheWhiskeyDictionary i don't remember getting it but I found it in my liquor cabinet

[@derekritter6214]

A relatively new (5-6 years) distillery is open in Denver, CO, Laws Whiskey House, (No, I'm not affiliated with them in any way, but took a tour, and enjoy their bourbon!). Their "flagship" is a 4-grain bourbon, which is pretty rare! Check it out if you get a chance!

[@whiskyvillage]

Please make this kind of video more and more, it can help us to understand how whisky make .

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

You've got it!

[@baldgamer305]

Very well explained thank you

[@UKBritt]

Currently enjoying a lovely Aberlour A'Bunadh (Batch 62) looking for the next (cask strength) one to try :)

[@mlguzman75]

I don't know if you have done this yet or not, but maybe a video of what got you into whiskey, or the first whiskey you tried etc. I plan on doing a couple of those types of videos on my channel soon. Cheers!!

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

I like your channel name :)

[@physics2112]

The issue of evaporation in Scotland versus Kentucky is something that's always confused me. Since you solicited suggestions for subsequent "What is..." videos, an obvious one would be "What is single barrel?" As I understand it, this is a tricky one, because it isn't regulated by law the way "bourbon" and "Tennessee whiskey" are, so the fact that a label states that the spirit inside is "single barrel" doesn't actually guarantee that all of it came from one single barrel; in fact, "single barrel" could mean single-barrel style or something to that effect. The exception would be whiskeys that indicate the barrel number, which many don't do.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Perfect! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@nickadkins7765]

Had some Abraham Bowman cask 141 proof today! It was hot, but smooth haha

[@cato451]

I cut my whisky with other whisky.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

So manly

[@actual_ice_lord4068]

I think that's a thing other people do? Something called "blending"??? Have you ever heard of this term?

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

New to me!

[@marcobaraco3000]

@@actual_ice_lord4068 Yup, I blended some maker's mark cask strength, woodford reserve rye, elijah craig small batch, it 's delicous, try it you might like it.

[@papantlaflayer-l-9062]

Great video man If you mind explaining What is chill filter and how the process works it would be awesome Keep up the great content

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

I have a video on that! Check it out

[@MrEricturney]

Love this video and all of your content. Got the wife hooked now

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

That's awesome! Thanks MrEric

[@TheReal_DeanD]

This video should automatically play when a new enthusiast starts hemming and hawing about the higher ABV. The part about the lack of CS Scotches is one I totally forgot about. It is a VERY good reason as to why some Scotches that are listed as CS may only have a 45.1% ABV.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Thanks for the compliment :) I'm glad you enjoyed the vid

[@TheReal_DeanD]

@@TheWhiskeyDictionary Forgot to mention. For an upcoming video topic could you maybe discuss the Independent Bottlers and what makes their offerings different the regular distiller releases? Total Wine often has these Highland Park offerings from Dimensions or they will have a Bunnahabhain 6 year from Battlehill. I think the new enthusiasts could use guidance on these.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Thats a great idea. Something I'll need to learn more about myself

[@mgoks4749]

Most of my whiskys are CS, the most abv i have in one bottle is 73 % for a belgian whisky, the belgian owl Intense, 90€ for 50 cl and its only 3 years old... but its a damn good one, the worst CS whiskys ive had are the Glenfarclas 105 and the g&m Miltonduff 2007 CS they are my least favorites. Favorites so far that i have tasted are the Ben Nevis Signatory CS 1991 24 years old and the Blackadder Bruichladdich Raw Cask 12 years old i think

[@Danlikescheesteaks]

Cask strength is the best. And once you get used to it, drinking anything below 50% abv is like drinking soda lol

[@LatteBrown]

Good info, I didn't know that. Question? What's the name of the bourbon with the bulb like bottom and long neck in this video? I looked though your videos and didn't see that bottle. Thanks

[@unwin42]

The Woodford Reserve Masters Collection Batch Proof

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

@@unwin42 You nailed it

[@triplecap4307]

Well done Bill. Very informative. I would just add that if a Scotch whisky comes out of the cask, say at 50%, it is still cask strength. Just an addition to your bourbon v. scotch cask strength discussion. You really should do more of these info type reviews.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

I do them as I think of topics. They always do better than my normal reviews and i think they're more interesting. Also, i haven't seen you in a while!

[@triplecap4307]

Also can get controversial, which is cool too. LOL

[@sowlegwhiskyreview5501]

I did not know the CS difference between scotch and bourbon🤔 Thanks Bill🙂

[@triplecap4307]

Yes, see my comment.

[@sowlegwhiskyreview5501]

@@triplecap4307 Yup :)

[@iancrombie8862]

Water is cheaper than Whisky...Life is so cruel!!!☹

[@manonfire4jc]

I do love me some Booker's as you know Bill. Could you do a video on what Angel Share is? That's something I like. As always tha is for the video.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

You've got it

[@jackcooper624]

Would you consider reviewing the new line up of jura? Eg journey or the 10year? I have a bottle of journey amd love it but ive seen a few reviews saying its like petrol.

[@Grumppant]

Great job!

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Thanks Adam!

[@keithrose4227]

I may be overthinking this but is there a difference between cask strength and barrel strength?

[@knappjs]

Or barrel proof?

[@keithrose4227]

@@knappjs yeah! Is there a difference?

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

No difference. They're the same thing, different terms

[@1cleandude]

Great video I was wondering today about Cask Strength! Side note: If I close my eyes while listening to you I swear I am listening to Tiger Woods the golfer!

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

I'm glad you found the video helpful. Ive never heard that one before (in relation to my voice). I suppose as long as you dont mean Dave Chappell's impression of Tiger Woods, then im good!

[@1cleandude]

The Whiskey Dictionary No really Tiger!!

[@liamjordan7153]

Great video again! I think you should order make your own whiskey kits and compare them maybe!

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

What do you mean?

[@liamjordan7153]

Along the lines of the make your own whiskey at home kits, like you get with beer etc. Could be a good idea to compare different kits and see which is best, might help with Christmas presents! Worse comes to it you can knock out your own "whisky dic blend" for your fellow followers! All the best keep up the great content

[@paulsousa]

A question I have is where specifically do certain scents/flavors come from? What imparts vanilla, or caramel, or red berries, etc?

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

I'll need to do some research on that to get specifics

[@paulsousa]

The Whiskey Dic If you think it’d make a worthwhile video that would be cool. I’ve always wondered what flavors the mash bill influences, versus the barrels, etc. And why do they create the flavors typical of a lot of whiskeys.

[@djbeacon6895]

@@paulsousa Great question. I would guess from what people say about the as-distilled "white dog" going into the barrel, that seems to contribute the basic corn Vs. rye and grain components while the barrel and degree of char contribute the vanilla / caramel / oak / smoke and more subtle flavors of spice / citrus / cherry / chocolate / floral. It definitely seems more empirical and magic than good, old science.

[@sturdyweiner]

Four Kentucky moonshiners disliked this video.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Hah

[@pandabearguy1]

Got myself a bottle of Springbank 12 cask strenght yesterday

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Nice!

[@iancrombie8862]

Glenfarclas 105...yummy!60% abv!😃

[@WhiskyJason1]

wow - sorry - but you're talking a whole lot of rubbish about there being more cask strength bourbons than scotch. Cask strength has NOTHING to do with the weather or climate in the States or Scotland. Cask strength just means the strength the whisky leaves the barrel from. So you can have a 30 year old scotch with a ABV of 41.4% and that would still be CASK STRENGTH.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

I think you missed the sentence directly after what you quoted where I said that there ends up being less whisky at the time you're emptying the barrel.

[@WhiskyJason1]

​@@TheWhiskeyDictionary In the United States, the use of various terms, including "barrel proof" or "cask strength", on product labels is regulated by truth in labeling requirements. Under ruling 79-9 of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, a whisky can only be called "barrel proof" if the bottling proof is not less than 1% (2 degrees U.S. proof) lower than when the barrels were dumped at the end of the aging period.

[@WhiskyJason1]

@@TheWhiskeyDictionary I think I took offense with the sentence around 3:18 - "It is easier to make bourbon" . BTW - The entire range of SMWS is always cask strength - which means there are MANY more scotches than bourbons at cask strength.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Perhaps taking it as a segment is the issue. It's easier to make a larger supply of cask strength bourbon

[@WhiskyJason1]

@@TheWhiskeyDictionary Nope - sorry. There is not a larger supply of cask strength bourbons in the world. Well maybe in your world yes but not in the world :-) . Think Kavalan, Amrut, Redbreast and all the other cask strength scotches of the world.

[@koolkat4263]

Do you ever drink alcohol with the intent to get drunk?

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Oooooooh yea!

[@koolkat4263]

The Whiskey Dic Haha really? A lot of people who collect whiskey claim they never drink to get drunk.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

A lot of people take life too seriously! It's fun to taste it and its hard to get nuance if you get drunk, but that's when you move to 40% ABV

[@koolkat4263]

The Whiskey Dic Oh i got you, do you tend to drink any other alcohol or are you just strictly a whiskey guy?

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

I drink beer pretty frequently. Other than that I'll go rum or gin