Artisan Casks, the private cask program from the Artisanal Spirits Company, has revealed its 2026 portfolio of 10 single casks, headlined by a 32-year-old Macallan, a 30-year-old Laphroaig, and a 34-year-old Mortlach. The collection, which starts at $81,700 (£60,000) and extends into six figures, also features expressions from Bowmore, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Glen Garioch, and Glen Grant.
The Artisanal Spirits Company is the parent of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Artisan Casks launched in 2025 under the leadership of James Mackay, private client director at the company.
All casks in the portfolio are at least 20 years old and ready to bottle. Cask owners may also choose to continue aging their whisky further.
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Owners can request up to two bottles per year, delivered alongside a whisky-maker’s maturation statement and evaluation.
The 2026 release extends beyond single malt. It includes a 34-year-old single grain Scotch whisky from North British distillery in Edinburgh and a 33-year-old “teaspoon” blended malt dubbed “Speyside Symphony.”
The program’s debut year produced a notable result at auction. The first Artisan Casks bottle, Ancient Alba “AON” 1972, sold at the Distiller’s One of One 2025 charity auction for $18,710 (£13,750), more than double Sotheby’s pre-auction estimate. The bottle was anonymously donated to the charity event by its owner.
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READ THE STORYMackay hosted a group of cask owners at the Distiller’s One of One auction at Hopetoun House, Edinburgh, last year. Events for 2026 are planned for London, New York, Singapore, and the Bahamas.
James Mackay, Artisan Casks private client director, said: “When created with the highest levels of care and craft, I believe Scotch whisky is one of the world’s true luxuries — and moreover an inherently sociable luxury — which is why it’s so rewarding to connect each year with whisky lovers internationally, helping them select that unique cask which speaks to them and reflects their personal taste and passion.”
He added: “We’re looking forward to bringing more people together this year for some truly unforgettable whisky experiences.”
Each cask in the portfolio has been selected and matured by the Artisanal Spirits Company’s whisky-makers. Maturation profiles span decades of careful cask management, with many expressions finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry wood.
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