Whisky in Muscat wine casks

Muscat is not a specific drink tied to a region, like Scotch or Bourbon. Muscat is defined by the grape variety used to make the wine.

Muscat wine is used in many countries to produce fortified wines. Therefore, these fortified wines have many different names. In France they are called Vins doux naturels, in Australia Liqueur Muscat, in Portugal Moscatel and in other countries people simply use this fruity grape without mentioning it specifically.

Muscat wine has neither a specific growing region nor a specific traditional production method. So what makes Muscat wine is the grape from which it is made. Within the grape variety family Vitis vinifera we find common flavours. Almost all grapes are very fruity, sweet and floral.

Because muscat grapes are very fruity and very individual in taste, wineries tend to use highly concentrated, very neutral grape spirit to enhance the wines without changing their taste too much.

Whiskies matured in Muscat wine casks become fruitier, more floral and sweeter. Depending on the type of wine, you may also notice aromas ranging from fruits like peach to spices like muscatel.

The colour change of the whisky matured in the cask depends exclusively on the type of muscat wine that was previously stored in the cask. Red wines lead to a red colour and white wines to no particular change. The darkening of the whisky certainly also depends on the oak, but that is another story.

It is difficult to tell from the label whether it is a whisky that has been matured or finished in Muscat wine or Muscat sherry casks. Most whiskies indicated with a Muscat cask finish have been matured in Muscat sherry casks.