Kingsbarns Private Whisky Cask Ownership
Your own private cask distilled and matured at Kingsbarns Distillery, crafted to be uniquely yours.
Join Kingsbarns On This Milestone Journey
The Directors of Kingsbarns Distillery are proud to offer a limited number of whisky casks for private ownership - an exclusive opportunity to become part of our story and share in the craft of Scotch whisky making. You can choose between two cask types: a first-fill American Standard Barrel (bourbon cask), priced at £3,800, or a first-fill Hogshead (sherry cask), available for £5,850.
Every cask is individually numbered, filled with new make spirit distilled in Fife, and stored securely in our bonded warehouse. Over the years, your cask will mature gracefully under the expert care of our distillery team, developing in character and complexity until you decide it's time to bottle your whisky.
This is not just a purchase – it’s an opportunity to be part of the whisky-making process and enjoy a unique experience for years to come.
If you have any questions about our Private Cask offering, please don’t hesitate to contact us at casks@kingsbarnsdistillery.com.
Maturation & Storage
Once filled, your private cask will be matured and securely stored under bond at Kingsbarns. The purchase price includes the first ten years of warehousing and insurance. While we recommend bottling after a minimum of ten years’ maturation, you’re welcome to let your whisky continue to age until the moment feels just right.
You can bottle your cask at any point once it legally qualifies as Scotch whisky (after three years and one day of maturation), but we envisage it won’t be bottled until it reaches ten years. Should you choose to keep it longer, additional charges for storage and insurance will apply.
In light of recent cask ownership concerns in the UK, we would like to reassure you that your cask will be securely registered in our official warehouse records under your name. You will also receive a personal log-in, allowing you to request samples and view the location of your cask at any time. We believe in full transparency, giving you the confidence to stay closely involved with your cask as it matures.
Discover the Flavour Journey of Your Cask
The cask you choose will shape the unique character of your whisky over time. Each type has been expertly selected by our whisky-makers to complement the light, fruity profile of the Kingsbarns New Make Spirit.
American Standard Barrel (Ex-Bourbon Cask) – £3,800
Crafted from American oak and previously used to mature bourbon, this cask imparts soft, sweet flavours such as vanilla, toffee, honey, and gentle coconut notes. Expect a smooth, well-balanced whisky with bright fruitiness and subtle oak spice.
Hogshead (Ex-Sherry Cask) – £5,850
Larger in size and seasoned with Oloroso sherry, this European oak cask delivers a richer, more indulgent profile. Look for deep dried fruit, dark chocolate, spiced orange, and warming Christmas cake notes. A luxurious choice for those who love a bold and complex dram.
Each cask matures differently, offering a one-of-a-kind expression of Kingsbarns whisky. Your flavour journey begins with the cask you choose.
Your selected cask will be filled with our spirit at 63.5% ABV, or the nearest ABV reasonably achievable on the date of filling. While the exact volume may vary depending on the cask’s size and shape, we always aim to fill it to its full potential to ensure the best possible maturation.
Stay Connected With Your Cask’s Journey
Throughout the maturation of your cask, we’ll send you periodic updates to keep you informed about its progress. These updates will provide insights from our distillery team, tasting notes as the spirit develops, and occasional behind-the-scenes glimpses into the warehouse where your cask is resting. While the timing of these updates may vary, our goal is to ensure that you remain closely connected to your whisky, experiencing its evolution as it matures over time.
In the Hands of Experts
When you purchase a Kingsbarns Private Cask, your whisky is guided by a team of seasoned experts with decades of combined experience in maturation, cask selection, and blending. Every cask is carefully chosen, filled, and monitored with precision to ensure it develops character, complexity, and balance over time. From the moment your spirit is laid down to the final bottling, it’s nurtured with craftsmanship and care, giving you the confidence that your cask is in the best possible hands.
To explore cask types or chat with one of our whisky experts, email casks@kingsbarnsdistillery.com and we’ll be in touch soon.
Dedicated Kingsbarns Care
From the moment your cask is filled, the Kingsbarns team will be by your side to offer dedicated support and expert guidance throughout every stage of your whisky journey. Whether you're new to whisky cask ownership or a seasoned enthusiast, we're here to ensure the process is smooth, enjoyable, and completely stress-free.
We’ll take care of every detail on your behalf - from managing the essential paperwork and ensuring your cask is safely stored under bond, to overseeing its maturation and assisting with bottling and labelling when the time is right. Our experienced team will keep a close eye on your cask as it matures, and we’ll be available to answer any questions or provide advice whenever you need it.
You can trust us to handle each step with the utmost care and attention to detail, so you can focus on what matters most - enjoying the anticipation, tradition, and personal connection that comes with owning a cask of Kingsbarns single malt
Kingsbarns Private Cask – Frequently Asked Questions
It’s a unique opportunity to purchase your own cask of new make spirit from Kingsbarns Distillery, which will mature into single malt Scotch whisky over time.
It’s a unique opportunity to purchase your own cask of new make spirit from Kingsbarns Distillery, which will mature into single malt Scotch whisky over time.
We are offering two cask types:
- First-fill Bourbon American Standard Barrel – £3,800
- First- fill Sherry Hogshead – £5,850
These prices include the spirit, ten years of storage, and insurance. The cask itself is not included in the price, but we may offer to sell or provide it at our discretion.
We are offering two cask types:
- First-fill Bourbon American Standard Barrel – £3,800
- First- fill Sherry Hogshead – £5,850
These prices include the spirit, ten years of storage, and insurance. The cask itself is not included in the price, but we may offer to sell or provide it at our discretion.
The purchase price includes the spirit, 10 years of storage in our bonded warehouse, and insurance. It doesn’t include the cask itself (although we may offer to sell it separately or include it at our discretion), nor does it cover future bottling or associated costs.
The purchase price includes the spirit, 10 years of storage in our bonded warehouse, and insurance. It doesn’t include the cask itself (although we may offer to sell it separately or include it at our discretion), nor does it cover future bottling or associated costs.
Legally, Scotch whisky must mature for a minimum of 3 years and one day. You can bottle your whisky any time after that, but we envisage most owners will mature theirs for 10 years. After 10 years, storage and insurance fees will apply if you choose to keep it longer.
Legally, Scotch whisky must mature for a minimum of 3 years and one day. You can bottle your whisky any time after that, but we envisage most owners will mature theirs for 10 years. After 10 years, storage and insurance fees will apply if you choose to keep it longer.
No, unfortunately visits to private casks are not possible. However, you’ll receive six complimentary distillery tour vouchers during your first year as a cask owner.
No, unfortunately visits to private casks are not possible. However, you’ll receive six complimentary distillery tour vouchers during your first year as a cask owner.
Yes - you can request a sample in writing. We’ll charge an admin and delivery fee.
Yes - you can request a sample in writing. We’ll charge an admin and delivery fee.
All bottling is managed by Kingsbarns. We must use our approved dry goods and suppliers, but we’ll consider reasonable customisation requests (labels, closures, packaging, etc.) at your expense.
All bottling is managed by Kingsbarns. We must use our approved dry goods and suppliers, but we’ll consider reasonable customisation requests (labels, closures, packaging, etc.) at your expense.
No. The cask must remain in our bonded warehouse and under our control throughout maturation.
No. The cask must remain in our bonded warehouse and under our control throughout maturation.
Transfers are only allowed with our written consent. We must conduct due diligence on any proposed new owner. The buyer must also agree to the same terms and conditions.
Transfers are only allowed with our written consent. We must conduct due diligence on any proposed new owner. The buyer must also agree to the same terms and conditions.
Yes – if you choose to sell your cask, Kingsbarns reserves the first right of refusal to buy it back at fair market value.
Yes – if you choose to sell your cask, Kingsbarns reserves the first right of refusal to buy it back at fair market value.
No – this programme is for private individuals only, not commercial traders. You must warrant that you are purchasing as a private owner.
No – this programme is for private individuals only, not commercial traders. You must warrant that you are purchasing as a private owner.
If we can’t reach you, we reserve the right to sell the whisky at fair market value. We’ll hold the net proceeds on your behalf, but will deduct any costs and applicable taxes.
If we can’t reach you, we reserve the right to sell the whisky at fair market value. We’ll hold the net proceeds on your behalf, but will deduct any costs and applicable taxes.
No – bottling and packaging costs can’t be reliably predicted 10+ years in advance and are likely to vary based on your final choices and market prices at the time.
No – bottling and packaging costs can’t be reliably predicted 10+ years in advance and are likely to vary based on your final choices and market prices at the time.
You can choose to bottle your cask at any time after it becomes legally Scotch whisky (3 years old and one day). However, we envisage most casks will be bottled at 10 years of age.
You can also keep your cask longer, but additional storage and insurance fees will apply from year 11 onward.
You can choose to bottle your cask at any time after it becomes legally Scotch whisky (3 years old and one day). However, we envisage most casks will be bottled at 10 years of age.
You can also keep your cask longer, but additional storage and insurance fees will apply from year 11 onward.
All casks will be stored at our bonded facility in Glenrothes, under the control of Kingsbarns. The casks cannot be removed from this location.
All casks will be stored at our bonded facility in Glenrothes, under the control of Kingsbarns. The casks cannot be removed from this location.
The spirit in your cask will mature into a flavour profile similar to our signature Kingsbarns whisky. You can request samples during the maturation process, or we may provide representative samples from a cask with a similar type and age at regular intervals. Please note, there will be a charge for the samples.
The spirit in your cask will mature into a flavour profile similar to our signature Kingsbarns whisky. You can request samples during the maturation process, or we may provide representative samples from a cask with a similar type and age at regular intervals. Please note, there will be a charge for the samples.
From year 11 onward, additional charges will apply for continued storage and insurance if you choose not to bottle the cask by year 10.
From year 11 onward, additional charges will apply for continued storage and insurance if you choose not to bottle the cask by year 10.
You will be officially registered as the owner of your cask in our bonded warehouse records. Following your purchase, you’ll also receive login details for our online system, where you can view and manage your cask information.
You will be officially registered as the owner of your cask in our bonded warehouse records. Following your purchase, you’ll also receive login details for our online system, where you can view and manage your cask information.
Important Information for Cask Owners
When it comes time to bottle your cask, UK Duty and VAT will be payable upon release from our bonded warehouse. These costs are the responsibility of the cask owner. At the time of writing, whisky cask purchases made for personal enjoyment are not subject to UK Capital Gains Tax.
If you are considering exporting your whisky outside the UK, please be aware that under The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009, Single Malt Scotch Whisky can only be exported from Scotland in bottles, not as cask spirit.
It is also important to understand that HMRC considers the cask purchaser responsible for knowing and complying with any applicable regulations, duties, and taxes in their country of residence relating to the importation of alcohol.
The Kingsbarns Private Cask Programme is created for whisky lovers and enthusiasts. It is not intended as an investment vehicle, and Kingsbarns Distillery is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to offer financial or investment advice.
For further guidance on private cask ownership, we recommend visiting the Scotch Whisky Association’s website. You’ll find helpful resources and best practices for anyone considering a cask purchase.
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A Kingsbarns Private Cask Owner?