The Octave & Quarter Cask Range

Duncan Taylor and Co Ltd has experimented for many years in the use of differing cask sizes for the maturation of Single Malt and Single Grain Scotch Whiskies. Our research stemmed from a simple premise that there is more wood interaction with spirit over a shorter period of time in a small cask than in a large cask, therefore allowing a more rapid “melding” of wood, air and alcohol. The resultant spirit demonstrated a depth of maturity missing in a larger cask over a similar period of storage. On completion of a relatively short maturation period of a younger whisky, the spirit appeared smoother, more balanced with plenty of character more reminiscent of a long maturation. The rough edges were removed and the taste profile changed dramatically to what would be considered a whisky of a much more mature nature or vintage. The whisky became polished, bright and sparkled with intensity.

We experimented to see how octave and quarter cask maturation would affect whiskies that had already been matured for long periods in larger casks. The trial was done on existing 2nd or 3rd fill casks using older whiskies that had not quite matured to the level of quality expected by Duncan Taylor. The result was once again astonishing. On re-racking the whiskies, we found that after just a few months the casks had breathed new life into the whisky, quickly changing hue, taste, form and character of the spirit. The whisky was rejuvenated, a little more aggressive, with the commanding presence of a mature well balanced peerless Scotch Whisky.

The results of our maturation tests for both young and old whiskies confirmed our belief that this would interest consumers and that they would try this revolutionary method of what is regarded as technically finishing a whisky, no matter what the age or whisky type.

After many in-house tasting sessions with customers we quickly realised hat releasing the definitive Octave and Quarter Cask Range of Single Malt and Single Grain Scotch Whiskies was a given. You now have the benefit of our exhaustive research to have a unique cask of your own to monitor first hand how your whisky will transform in your chosen cask format, whether it is in octave or quarter casks, ex Bourbon or ex Sherry wood.

Quality Spirit in the Range

Duncan Taylor & Company Limited , established in 1938, is renowned for the quality and range of its single malts, single grain and deluxe blended Scotch Whiskies. Its has been awarded the IWSC Trophy on two occasions, IWSC Golds, The World Whisky award for Scotch Grain 2010 (note: matured in a Duncan Taylor Quarter Cask) , and is currently Whisky Magazine’s Independent Bottler of the Year 2009. The pedigree is there for all to see.

Octave and Quarter Casks.
Our octave and quarter casks have been constructed from ex Sherry casks in Spain and from ex Bourbon casks here in Scotland. The casks are of the highest quality using the finest staves.

The whisky in our Octave and Quarter Cask Range has not been chill-filtered or coloured, it remains in its natural state keeping the flavours and textures unaltered. The spirit is from a single cask, and is kept at cask strength.

As octave and quarter casks are smaller than standard butt or hogshead casks, the opportunity to own a private cask just became more affordable. With fewer bottles from each cask, the spirit becomes all the more exclusive.

Butt 700 bottles ~~ Hogshead 350 bottles ~~ Quarter Octave 150 bottles
(bottle count is approximate)

Exclusively Yours

The Octave and Quarter Range provides a method of cask ownership that is totally unique and perfect for corporate and own label bottlings or personalizing your own bottles with your family, company or club name.

The Octave is the perfect size allowing you 70 bottles to share with family, friends or business colleagues.
Duncan Taylor maintain an in-house marketing and design team with diverse experience and an award-winning portfolio. Custom labels and corporate packaging can be arranged to suit your needs.

A back label for this brand is customized to include the distillation and bottling date, cask number, total number of bottles, whisky region and age. Tasting notes can also be incorporated into the descriptive text.

A Vast Range of Whiskies

Duncan Taylor has produced its own range of Octave and Quarter cask bottlings from its vast range of Single Malt and Single Grain Scotch Whiskies. Only the top Distilleries spirits have been used for this range, including whiskies from Bunnahabhain, Bowmore and Caol Ila from Islay, Ben Nevis and Glengarioch from the Highlands, Glenlivet, Macallan and Glenrothes from Speyside, Springbank and Glen Scotia from Cambeltown, Highland Park and Jura from the Islands and Auchentoshan and Inverleven from the lowlands. The grain range has Invergordon, Strathclyde, Carsebridge and many others.

If you would like to download this article as a PDF please click this pdf link .

Also you can read the latest press release about The Octave from Duncan Taylor - 10th December2009

To read general information and history for Duncan Taylor - Click here

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