New make spirit is freshly distilled spirit that has not yet been matured in a cask. It’s the clear, high-strength spirit that develops its character and colour through maturation in oak and becomes whisky after 3 years of maturation.

Staoisha is a robust and characterful peated new make spirit produced at Bunnahabhain Distillery. Unlike our signature unpeated spirit, Staoisha brings a smoky, maritime character that reflects a different side of Bunnahabhain and the distillery's origins as peated whisky distillery.

Our unpeated spirit is the style Bunnahabhain is best known for, with a fresh, fruity, oily and coastal character. Our peated Staoisha spirit is smokier and more maritime, bringing notes of peat smoke, sea spray, brine and mineral earth.

Both will develop and evolve as they mature in oak, but the spirit you choose will provide the foundation for the whisky your cask becomes.

For this round of cask sales, we’re offering First Fill Bourbon Barrels, Refill Hogsheads (with the opportunity to re-cask at a later date), First Fill Bordeaux Hogsheads, and First Fill Oloroso Butts.

Availability varies and will be discussed at the time of enquiry.

Your cask must mature for a minimum of three years before it can legally be called Scotch whisky. You can choose to mature your cask for longer, with maturation continuing for up to 10 years or more depending on your preference and the type of cask selected.

Your cask will be stored at Bunnahabhain Distillery on Islay, where it will mature in our traditional dunnage warehouses. Islay's cool, maritime climate and the slow passage of time will help shape the whisky as it matures.

Yes. You can arrange a visit to the distillery to see your cask and, where possible, taste a sample as it matures. Cask owners are entitled to one complimentary distillery tour for themselves and one guest each year.

Your cask can be matured for a minimum of three years, with the option to continue maturing for longer. When you're ready to bottle, our team will work with you on the next steps.

The final number of bottles will depend on the size of your cask, how long it matures and the amount lost naturally through evaporation – known as the “angel's share”.

As a guide, a standard Bourbon Barrel typically yields around 250 bottles at 46% ABV, while a Bordeaux Hogshead typically yields around 300 bottles.

Refill Hogshead owners will have the opportunity to re-cask their spirit at a later date, allowing the whisky to continue its maturation journey in a different cask.

The timing, available casks and associated costs will be discussed with you when the time comes.

We’ll endeavour to send you samples of your whisky as it matures, so you can follow its development over time. However, this is dependent on local shipping and import regulations.

Scotch Whisky is not subject to VAT on purchase value, or capital gains tax while maturing in a bonded warehouse. However, we are not tax advisors and we recommend consulting a qualified tax professional if you wish to explore the tax implications and potential benefits of investing in whisky casks.

You will receive a Delivery Order from the bonded warehouse or distillery, which confirms your ownership. Should the distillery change ownership or close down, your ownership remains intact provided you have the Delivery Order. You can request a re-gauging of your cask at any time, at cost. Should you choose to sell your cask, you can re-sell back to CVH Spirits at Market Price, Resell on the secondary market or sell bulk to an independent bottler.