The cask type used is a first fill bourbon barrel, i.e. an American barrel that has held bourbon and is now being filled with Scotch whisky for the first time. It will hold between 185 and 200 bulk litres. We always try to select a barrel close to 200 bulk litres. A 200 litre barrel filled at a strength of 63.5% contains 127 litres of alcohol (measured at a strength of 100%) In 8 years time assuming average evaporation of 2% per annum about 16% will have evaporated leaving 84% of the original 127. This should be sufficient whisky to fill approx 380 seventy centilitre bottles at 40%
Duty is currently at £22.64 per litre and must be paid together with VAT of 17.5% on the amount of alcohol remaining in the cask before it can be removed from the warehouse. If bottled at 40% the duty is £6.34 per bottle. Assuming average evaporation the amount remaining after 8 years is 106.68 litres (84% of 127 litres) Duty would amount to £2415.23 plus vat
Bottling and packaging charges are currently about £2.00 per bottle including bottles, corks and capsules and cardboard boxes which hold a six bottles. The price includes the cost of applying the labels but not the actual labels which for private bottlings are usually run off on a computer. If required this can be done to an agreed design at Bladnoch. If you want the barrel to remain in Bond at Bladnoch for any further years after the initial 8 year period expires, this may be possible but rent will be payable at the then current rate. Current rent/insurance rates at Bladnoch are in line with the industry norm of about 22 pence per cask per week. Realistically this is likely to rise over the next 8 years as will bottling charges. I have also quoted current rates of Duty and Vat in the UK which have remained fairly static but we have no control over them.
What you should bear in mind before purchasing a cask is that in 8 years time although you may have very cheap whisky, you will have rather a lot of it. It is therefore sensible to consider this, what will you do with a large number of bottles of whisky? You should only consider it if you have in mind a large family group, a club, friends or work colleagues. We do not promote the sale of casks as a financial investment. Part of the fun is also the ability to come and visit your cask and see how it is developing. We accept payment by Visa.
Thank you for your enquiry and if there is anything that isn't covered please feel free to come back for further information.
