Casks come in many shapes and sizes, and the choice affects maturation speed and flavour. Here's a quick reference.
Common types (approximate capacities)
- Quarter cask — ~50 L. Fast maturation, high wood contact.
- Barrel (ex-bourbon) — ~200 L. The workhorse; widely available.
- Hogshead — ~225–250 L. Rebuilt from barrels; popular for whisky.
- Barrique — ~225 L. Wine origin.
- Puncheon — ~450–500 L. Slower, subtler maturation.
- Butt (ex-sherry) — ~500 L. Classic for sherried styles.
How size affects maturation
Smaller casks have a higher wood-to-spirit ratio, so they mature faster but can over-oak if left too long. Larger casks are slower and more forgiving.
Track it
Record cask type and capacity on each cask profile so volumes and LAL stay accurate. See choosing the right cask for the flavour side.
See it on your own production: Book a demo.