For whisky makers in England, Scotland, and many other countries, American oak is the predominant type of wood used for maturation. However, at Ascalon, we decided to take a different path: all our single malt whiskies are matured in English oak casks.
American oak casks are popular for a reason: they are plentiful, the wood is easy to cooper, and it contains many flavour compounds which add positively to a whisky. But when we founded Ascalon, we were committed to making truly English whiskies, and we felt that philosophy should begin with the cask.
English oak has myriad benefits, from flexibility to flavour. We are lucky to work with England’s only surviving cooperage, where skilled and knowledgeable coopers build our casks from sustainably harvested wood.
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READ THE STORYHow does our English oak compare with its much more prevalent American cousin? Let’s explore some of the key similarities and differences.
What Are ‘English Oak’ and ‘American Oak ’?
Very simply, these are two species of oak (Quercus in Latin) which are named for where they grow: American oak (Quercus alba) grows across North America, while English oak (Quercus robur) is native to England.
You may have heard Quercus robur also referred to as European oak. It does grow in mainland Europe, alongside Quercus petraea, and both these European oak species are also used to make casks that mature whisky. However, at Ascalon, we only use native English Quercus robur for our casks.
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What Are The Differences Between English Oak and American Oak?
English and American oak exhibit flavour differences in whisky maturation, which come down to wood chemistry, grain structure, and tannin level.
American oak is used to make casks for the bourbon industry. It has high levels of vanillin and lactones, which contribute notably sweet flavours to a spirit, and it has lower tannin levels than English or European oak, dialling down its spice. It’s famed for producing sweeter, creamier whiskies with notes of vanilla, caramel, coconut, and gentle baking spices.
While English oak is technically the same species as European oak, differences in climate, soil, growth rate and coopering traditions have a distinct impact on its flavour. The cooler, wetter climate in England leads to slower-growing trees with a tighter grain. Compared with American oak, the wood also has firmer tannins and elevated spice levels. These factors give a whisky flavours of clove, nutmeg and allspice alongside earthier woody notes and some honeyed sweetness.
These environmental and chemical elements mean English oak tends to produce more robust, spicier whiskies than American oak, with the tannins adding structure.
Do Many Whisky Makers Use English Oak Casks?
The short answer is: no! At Ascalon, we are unique in only using casks made from English oak to mature our whiskies. We have partnered with England’s only remaining cooperage, the Kingsborough cooperage in Yorkshire, to produce our casks. Working directly with the cooperage means we can craft our casks to exact specifications and control their toast and char levels for maximum flavour impact.
Maturing exclusively in English oak comes at a cost — it is more expensive to source than American oak and more temperamental to work with — but we are happy to bear these costs for its benefits: ensuring provenance and quality, and reducing our environmental impact. We source and harvest our wood from sustainability-managed forests, air-season the staves for 18 months, and have partnered with an English cooperage which we trust to build sturdy, reliable casks that will harmonise with our whisky.
What Do Whiskies Matured In English Oak Taste Like?
As English oak is like European oak in its chemical make-up, whiskies matured in it will have similar characteristics. Compared with whiskies matured in American oak, they are likely to be spicier and more robust.
English oak contains more flavour compounds that contribute notes of spices to a whisky, such as cloves and nutmeg. It also has lower levels of vanillin and lactones than American oak, toning down the sweetness. Our single malt whiskies, Golden Falls and The Valley of Smoke, both demonstrate this distinctive English oak character with gentle sweetness and lingering spice notes.
Discover more about Ascalon, its English oak casks, and its whiskies at ascalonwhisky.com.
