Lancaster Spirits Co Launches its Cask Collective: It's private cask programme

Following on from the recent unveiling of the Lancaster Spirits Company’s (LSCo) ‘Whisky Room’ their purpose-built distillery, maturation, and private tasting facility. The company is pleased to announce the launch of its private cask programme; the ‘Cask Collective.’

Only 100 casks of the inaugural release will be available, on a first-come-first-served basis, providing the perfect opportunity to lay claim to some of the very first casks filled with the Distillery’s signature new-make spirit, representing a unique moment in Lancastrian distilling history. 

Proudly different to almost all other British micro-distilleries, LSCo make their base spirit entirely under one roof thanks to our sister company Lancaster Brewery’s brewing roots – which means everything that the distillery produces whether that's beer, gin, vodka, or whisky - is all produced in one place with its own water, grain mill and ancient live brewery yeast.

Christopher Pateman LSCo’s Commercial Manager said: "Joining Lancaster Spirit Company’s ‘Cask Collective’ provides members with the opportunity to be at the heart of the distillery’s journey from the start. Cask Collective members will be able to purchase the very first casks filled here in Lancaster. A one-off experience that cannot be repeated." At LSCo, we believe that whisky should be characterful and complex, as well as interesting and unique. So, our team is given the freedom to explore the impact of experimenting with different malts, yeasts, and casks.

Cask Collective members will have the option of choosing from three types of wood. 200-litre First-fill Bourbon Barrels, 250-litre Oloroso Sherry Hogsheads, 225-litre STR (Shaved, Toasted and Re-charred) Ex-red wine Rioja Barriques.

Whichever cask type is chosen, it will play a pivotal role in defining the characteristics of the spirit as it rests and matures in LSCo’s bespoke storage facility in Lancaster. All of the casks that make up the Cask Collective have been chosen specifically for the flavours that they'll impart upon the spirit.

We've carefully selected a range of cask options including STR casks because they are highly active, and will develop deep, rich, and complex flavours over short periods of time. The STR process (shaving, toasting, and re-charring) used for each of the Rioja casks we’ve secured allows the character and colour to bleed from the cask into the spirit.

We’ve also secured Bourbon barrels, which are the most widely available type of cask, which are often filled on numerous occasions to develop subtle nuances over time. However, we’ve been fortunate enough to secure "first-fill" Bourbon casks, which will develop even more characteristics associated with the spirit previously held in them.

Alongside that, we are excited to announce that we’ve managed to source a small parcel of Oloroso Sherry Hogsheads that have been used to mature Sherry for 20-30 years. These casks will impart subtle, rich, and complex dark fruit character from the Oloroso Sherry. Delivering a refined cask of spirit that will mature and develop. 

Lancaster is well-known for its unpredictable, damp yet mild climate. With a maturation space that has been specifically designed to encourage the local climate to envelop the casks, the team are confident that these unique surroundings will work their magic on the casks in storage. Slowly developing the flavours, aromas and character that will be savoured for generations to come.

Cask Collective ownership packages start from £4200 per cask. Each cask purchased will be filled with LSCo’s signature new-make spirit at 63.5% ABV.

Once filled, each cask will be hand-stencilled and laid to mature in LSCo’s warehouse where it will remain under the watchful eye of the distillery team for a minimum of five years and a day. After this Cask Collective members have several options to consider and could leave it to mature until it hits its tenth birthday (included in the price).

To find out more visit: More about Cask Collective from Lancaster Spirits

Whisky distillery tours will begin later this year. Please keep an eye on the Landcaster Spirits website for details.