Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
As time passes, I realise that I'm less and less 'different'. My love for - and occasional preference for - ex-bourbon matured whisky is not unusual. We have tons of individuals in our whisky-loving communities that adore what a bourbon, or often especially a refill bourbon, barrel can do for Scotch whisky. But I have a question: Why isn't there more of it?
I ask you all - how many core range official expressions can you name that are exclusively made up of ex-bourbon barrels? It's pretty rare. It's even rarer to have them make mention of it or celebrate it when they are. Is something being missed?
Why the temptation to always add a little sherry seasoning? A little virgin oak, wine, beer or something with some weird and wonderful provenance that sometimes works and sometimes, well, doesn't. I think I'm fairly correct in saying that it's pretty hard to mess whisky up in ex-bourbon oak, so why don't we see more of this style?
In this session I'll explore a few bottles that do adhere to this strategy and talk about how I believe they quickly become solid favourites, without the need for flourishes, footering and finishes.
This week, it's all about the humble ex-bourbon barrel.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Opening
3:20 - Workload and intro to topic
8:00 - In the glass & welcoming in the lounge
17:30 - Aqvavitae Glasgow 1770 8yo
28:28 - American Oak/Ex-bourbon in scotch whisky
36:54 - History - and serendipity
50:44 - Killing off the last of the Loch Lomond 10yo
57:29 - Tasting the Glasgow 1770
1:03:09 - Glasgow's take on an 8yo - core range!
1:10:36 - Why ex-bourbon is my preference
1:16:06 - Ardnamurchan Golden Promise
1:30:29 - Comparing the 'Glasgows'
1:45:05 - Ardnamurchan 10 year old 2025
1:58:44 - Ardnahoe's new Cask Strength
2:15:33 - The precarious future of the bourbon cask
2:29:52 - Quiz at the End
Link to The Aqvavitae Glasgow 8yo: royalmilewhiskies.com/glasgow-1770-8-year-old-aqvavitae-small-batch-55-70cl
As time passes, I realise that I'm less and less 'different'. My love for - and occasional preference for - ex-bourbon matured whisky is not unusual. We have tons of individuals in our whisky-loving communities that adore what a bourbon, or often especially a refill bourbon, barrel can do for Scotch whisky. But I have a question: Why isn't there more of it?
I ask you all - how many core range official expressions can you name that are exclusively made up of ex-bourbon barrels? It's pretty rare. It's even rarer to have them make mention of it or celebrate it when they are. Is something being missed?
Why the temptation to always add a little sherry seasoning? A little virgin oak, wine, beer or something with some weird and wonderful provenance that sometimes works and sometimes, well, doesn't. I think I'm fairly correct in saying that it's pretty hard to mess whisky up in ex-bourbon oak, so why don't we see more of this style?
In this session I'll explore a few bottles that do adhere to this strategy and talk about how I believe they quickly become solid favourites, without the need for flourishes, footering and finishes.
This week, it's all about the humble ex-bourbon barrel.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Opening
3:20 - Workload and intro to topic
8:00 - In the glass & welcoming in the lounge
17:30 - Aqvavitae Glasgow 1770 8yo
28:28 - American Oak/Ex-bourbon in scotch whisky
36:54 - History - and serendipity
50:44 - Killing off the last of the Loch Lomond 10yo
57:29 - Tasting the Glasgow 1770
1:03:09 - Glasgow's take on an 8yo - core range!
1:10:36 - Why ex-bourbon is my preference
1:16:06 - Ardnamurchan Golden Promise
1:30:29 - Comparing the 'Glasgows'
1:45:05 - Ardnamurchan 10 year old 2025
1:58:44 - Ardnahoe's new Cask Strength
2:15:33 - The precarious future of the bourbon cask
2:29:52 - Quiz at the End
Link to The Aqvavitae Glasgow 8yo: royalmilewhiskies.com/glasgow-1770-8-year-old-aqvavitae-small-batch-55-70cl
