This Scottish Distillery Lets You Fill Your Own Sherry Cask

Tuesday, 10 February 2026 at 17:25

Annandale Distillery is offering whisky lovers a truly rare experience: the chance to pre-arrange and witness the filling of their own sherry cask. At a time when most sherry casks are filled far from public view, Annandale is inviting private owners into the heart of the whisky-making process.

Be present at the moment your own whisky is born

In most cases, whisky cask owners never see the moment their spirit is filled. Annandale Distillery is changing that tradition. For the first time, clients can select a specific sherry style in advance, with the cask sourced directly from the José y Miguel Martín bodega in Jerez, at the centre of Spain’s renowned sherry triangle.

Once the cask arrives in Scotland, the filling is scheduled ahead of time, giving owners the opportunity to attend the happening in person. This way the whisky will be even more personal.

Why sherry casks matter in whisky maturation

The influence of a sherry cask on whisky maturation cannot be overstated. Long before new make spirit touches the wood, the oak has already been seasoned by sherry, saturating the staves with flavour compounds that shape the whisky’s colour, aroma and mouthfeel for years to come. Every sherry has it's own impact on the cask and eventually on the flavour, aroma and colour of the whisky.

Non-oxidative sherry styles such as Fino and Manzanilla are biologically aged under flor yeast, preserving the spirit’s natural character and producing dry, fresh and subtly nutty whiskies. In contrast, fully oxidative styles like Pedro Ximénez undergo extended oxygen exposure, resulting in richly textured whiskies with deep sweetness, dried fruit and warming spice.

Choose your sherry cask by flavour profile

Annandale has a selection of casks in their 'menu' for whiskylovers to pick and fill. This is the full range:

Oloroso Sherry: figs, dates, dark fruit, chocolate, spice and deep nuttiness
Pedro Ximénez Sherry: prunes, coffee, dark sweetness and warming spice
Manzanilla Sherry: dry, crisp, saline notes with fresh dough and subtle nuttiness
Fino Sherry: bright citrus, bready notes, gentle nuttiness, peach and apricot
Amontillado Sherry: ripe apple, dried apricot, soft nuttiness and gentle yeast
Palo Cortado Sherry: dry, structured, nutty with a fuller mouthfeel

Limited sherry casks available for private ownership

A limited number of sherry casks are available for pre-order, with reservations closing on 19 February. Buyers can choose between peated or unpeated Annandale New Make Spirit and decide whether they wish to attend the cask filling at the distillery.

Each cask can also be personalised on the cask end, adding a distinctive and lasting mark of ownership.

Once filled, the cask will mature for up to 10 years in Annandale’s bonded warehouse, with insurance included. Owners are welcome to visit the distillery over time and follow the evolution of their whisky. This level of access, transparency and long-term care is what sets the Annandale cask owner experience apart.

More information on the casks and how to participate is available at Annandale's website.