Private Casks FAQ’s

Got a question? Read on below to find answers to the most common questions about our private cask offer. If you can’t find the info you need drop us a line at hello@8doorsdistillery.com and we’ll get back to you.

What options are available to purchase?

The cask offer is for the contents of the cask - i.e. the spirit that will become Single Malt Scotch Whisky over time. We have 2 sizes available in 2025 and you can purchase them in 2 different ways:

1. Full Cask Purchase: own the full cask and if bottled at 46%.abv, you’ll enjoy approx:

  • 380 bottles from a 250L cask

  • 190 bottles from a 130L cask

2. A 20% stake in a cask: if bottled at 46%.abv, your share would deliver approx:

  • 76 bottles from a 250L cask

  • 38 bottles from a 130L cask

You could also purchase stakes in multiple cask types to experience the diverse range of flavour profiles available.

What Cask Types are available?

  • We have 15 x 250L casks across:

    • American Oak, Oloroso

    • American Oak, Palo Cortado

    • American Oak, PX

    • Spanish Oak, Amontillado

  • We have 20 x 130L casks across:

    • American Oak, Oloroso

    • Spanish Oak, PX

    • European Oak, Brandy

    • Spanish Oak, Moscatel

What is the cost?

  • Full Cask Purchase:

    • 250L - £5,480

    • 130L - £3,480

  • A 20% stake in a cask:

    • 250L - £1,200

    • 130L - £800

PLEASE NOTE: Prices above are for the cask contents only and do not include duty, VAT and bottling costs which are due at time of removal from warehouse. It is important to consider these costs as part of the total cost of your purchase.

What will the cask filling strength be?

The casks will be filled with 8 Doors spirit at a strength of 63.5% abv.

Will the spirit be peated or unpeated?

The spirit will be unpeated.

Will I get cask samples?

Cask samples are only available for those casks purchased in full. In this instance you may request 1 x 10cl sample throughout the cask maturation period. You must pay for the applicable duty and delivery costs of these samples before we send them to you. You must send us your request in advance so we can plan the sample process operationally which may take a number of weeks to complete.

If you have opted for the 20% share of cask option you cannot request a cask sample. We do not offer samples in this instance as this would be unfair on the other customers who have purchased a % of the cask.

Can I visit my cask?

You can visit your cask as part of any booked tour. Tours are available throughout the year at specific times and can be booked in advance on our website.

How much storage and insurance is included?

We will cover the cost of warehouse insurance, rent and repairs throughout maturation until we determine the cask is ready for bottling. Smaller casks will mature more quickly than larger casks and timings are subject to change based on the maturation profile of your individual cask. We expect the 130L casks to be ready for bottling between six and eight years. We expect 250L casks to be ready for bottling between eight and ten years. The cask must be bottled in it’s entirety. If you wish to retain the cask in our warehouse for longer we will discuss that with you at the time. If we agree to longer storage, the cost of warehouse insurance and rent after the eight year period will be your responsibility and intimated to you at that time.

Are there any additional costs over and above the purchase price?

Yes, other charges will apply once your cask has matured. Summary below, but please see individual FAQs and our Terms and Conditions for more information on each of these.

Bottling

Bottling costs apply and will be charged at standard industry rates at time of bottling. Bottling will be carried out without chill-filtration or the addition of any colour.

UK Duty

HMRC charge Duty on liquid based on the percentage of pure alcohol. This is due when the cask is to be removed from our bonded warehouse and is measured in alcohol per volume (abv.) As we have seen in recent years duty can be liable to increases so will only be calculated at the point it is due to be paid.

VAT and other Taxes

UK VAT (Value Added Tax) is currently 20% and is due after your cask has been bottled and the finished goods are removed from our bonded warehouse. Different rates of Duty apply throughout the EU and the rest of the world.

Tax variations

All taxes and duty are subject to change by the UK or country specific governments.

Delivery

Delivery costs will apply and will be charged at standard rates at the time of bottling. You also have the option of collection from the distillery.  

Duty and tax examples:

Duty and Tax are subject to change over time, so the information below should be used as a guide only based on current rates as at 21st January 2025 (Duty rate based on increase coming into effect on 1st February 2025).

Both tables give an idea of the potential total cost of ownership for each cask size and purchase option for the final payments that will be due upon maturation.  The figures used in this table are all subject to change.

We have estimated the bottle count at the end of the maturation period based on a bottling strength of 46% .abv. The final bottle count may vary according to bottling strength, the length of maturation and the resulting angel’s share which is the natural evaporation and subsequent loss of spirit that occurs during maturation in the cask.

In these examples the estimated final payment due at the time of bottling would be:

FULL CASK PURCHASE

130L Cask: Total price £7,951.31 minus initial payment £3,480.00 = £4,471.31

250L Cask: Total price £14,126.62 minus initial payment £5,480.00 = £8,646.62

20% SHARE OF CASK PURCHASE

130L Cask: Total price of share £1715.06 minus initial payment £800.00 = £915.06

250L Cask: Total price of share £2,950.12 minus initial payment £1,200.00 = £1,750.12

How do I place my order and what happens next?

All orders should be placed via our website where you can select from the available options of cask size and whether you wish to purchase a full cask or a 20% share in a cask. There are only a very limited number of each available.

Once you have placed your order you will receive a unique order number and website order confirmation by email. Once your cask has been filled you will be sent your cask confirmation of filling documentation.

When will my cask be filled?

Casks will be filled throughout the year 2025 at any point between March and October, with those cask fillings split across this time period and in line with deliveries received from our cask partner. We spread our cask deliveries throughout the year to ensure the casks are in optimum condition for filling.

Can I come to the distillery and help fill my cask?

This is only possible if you have bought a full cask - we will reach out to you to discuss options for cask filling visits. We try and accommodate any requests to be present for cask fillings where possible. Please note that fillings typically take place on a Friday afternoon for operational reasons.

If you have purchased the 20% share option we will fill the cask for you. You are welcome to see your cask on any of our Tours.

How many bottles will I get at the end?

As part of the maturation process, natural evaporation and the subsequent loss of spirit from the cask will occur, and this all has an impact on the final number of bottles that can be filled.

An estimated evaporation rate for 130L or 250L casks is up to 3-5% per year. However, the size of the cask, cask location, filling strength and length of maturation can all affect this rate of loss. Therefore, we can’t guarantee the amount of spirit remaining in the cask at the end of the maturation period.

Estimates below are approximate, based on bottling at 46% .abv, and actual results may vary based on the factors above.

130 litre cask would yield approximately 190 x 70cl bottles after 8 years
250 litre cask would yield approximately 380 x 70cl bottles after 8 years

If you bottle at cask strength, the number of bottles will be lower.

How does the bottling process work, what strength will it be, and are there any charges?

All bottling will take place on site at the distillery.  Bottling will be completed at your choice of cask strength or 46% .abv without chill filtration and will be natural colour.  The cost of bottling is not included in your initial purchase and will be charged based on costs incurred at the time of bottling.  We will contact you at the time of bottling to confirm applicable charges.

The water used to reduce your spirit down to bottling strength will be the same water as used throughout our process.

Are there costs for storage and insurance during maturation?

There are no additional storage or insurance costs during maturation up to the point we determine your cask is ready for bottling as this is included in your purchase price.

Can I decide when to bottle my cask?

We will determine when your cask is ready for bottling. Smaller casks will mature more quickly than larger casks and timings are subject to change based on the maturation profile of your individual cask. We expect the 130L casks to be ready for bottling between six and eight years. We expect 250L casks to be ready for bottling between eight and ten years. The cask must be bottled in it’s entirety. If we determine that the cask needs to be left in warehouse for longer should this be required to meet our maturation standards, the cost of any additional storage and insurance will be covered by us.

I have purchased a full cask - can I mature my cask for longer?

If you wish to leave your cask maturing for longer than our recommended bottling date we will discuss this with you. I we agree to keep your cask for longer then additional costs will apply. Sampling and cask repair will also be chargeable and we will not replace spirit losses which may occur, nor spirit in your cask which has not matured to the quality standard expected by us.

I have purchased a 20% share in a cask - can I mature my share for longer?

No, we’re sorry but this is not possible for part-shares in a cask.

Can I partially bottle my cask?

No, the cask must be bottled in it’s entirety.

Can I get my whisky delivered in the cask it was matured in?

No. We do not offer the option to keep your cask and all whisky must be bottled by us at the end of the maturation period. We will retain the cask after your whisky has been bottled. Scotch Whisky Regulations specify that Single Malt Scotch Whisky can only be taken out of Scotland in bottles.

What are my delivery & collection options?

The cost of delivery is not included in your initial purchase and will be charged at standard rates at the time of bottling.

Please note that deliveries outside the UK will need to be managed through our nominated partners at that time.

We welcome you to come to the distillery and collect your bottles personally by prior arrangement. Just let us know if this is your preferred option and we will agree a mutually suitable date and time. All costs for any collections are your responsibility.

Where do you deliver outside the UK?

There are limitations to which countries we can ship, particularly since BREXIT. So we can only currently offer delivery of the bottles from your cask to these locations:

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Switzerland.

Please check that we can deliver to your location before ordering.

What will the bottle labels look like?

Final labelling and packaging details will be confirmed by us with you at the time of bottling.  Labels must comply with all Scotch whisky legislation and any other relevant legislation at the time. The label may record that the product has been distilled, matured and bottled at 8 Doors Distillery and we shall endeavour to accommodate any reasonable requests for customisation of labelling (at your cost and provided that we shall be under no obligation to accommodate any customisation that may, in our opinion, adversely affect the Brand).

Capital Gains

Whisky purchased in a cask in the UK that is for personal use (e.g. a gift for family, a special birthday or wedding present etc.) is considered exempt from Capital Gains Tax.  This is because in the UK, Capital Gains Tax is not applicable to whisky as it is regarded as a ‘tangible’, ‘wasting’ asset.  On realisation of the asset you would not be expected to pay Capital Gains Tax.

Cask Terms & Conditions

View the full terms and conditions here.