This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. English
  3. Wine / Oenology / Viticulture

refill casks

English translation: "A refill is any cask which has been used for maturing Scotch whisky more than once. In other words, any cask which is not a ‘first fill’ cask. Refills are much less active than first-fills"

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:refill casks
Selected answer:"A refill is any cask which has been used for maturing Scotch whisky more than once. In other words, any cask which is not a ‘first fill’ cask. Refills are much less active than first-fills"
Entered by: Andrea Re

09:38 Oct 25, 2006
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Wine / Oenology / Viticulture / Whisky production
English term or phrase: refill casks
CASK FILLING

The spirit is pumped from the Still House to the Spirit Vats. The spirit is reduced to 64% volume alcohol, prior to filling, by the addition of pure water. The spirit is filled into oak casks. The casks have been used previously either for American bourbon or Spanish Sherry or are ***refill casks***. The casks are hand made and we use 2 sizes: Butt – 500 litres, Hogshead – 250 litres. The casks are weighed before and after filling so we can calculate how much spirit is in each one. The casks must stay in the warehouse for a legal minimum of three years before the spirit can be called Malt Whisky. At Glenturret we have various age expressions including single cask special bottlings.

Can someone explain to me the difference between a recycled cask ("The casks have been used previously either for American bourbon or Spanish Sherry.....") and a refill cask ("....or are refill casks).

I have foound that some whiskies are called "refilled cask", but I think it is referring to the fact that the cask has been recycled.

Thanks.

Thanks
Andrea Re
United Kingdom
Local time: 14:59
perhaps your text is inaccurate
Explanation:
Her is a quote from a tasting session, giving the composition of the whisky:
What's in it?

5% Caol Ila refill casks - American bourbon barrels
12% Laphroaig refill casks - American bourbon barrels
17% Bunnahabhain American sherry
9% Bunnahabhain refill casks - American bourbon barrels
26% Highland Park - Spanish Sherry butts
14% Highland Park - American hogsheads
9% Ledaig refill casks - American bourbon barrels
8% Bowmore refill casks - American bourbon barre

It appears here that the refill casks have already been used for Bourbon.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day2 mins (2006-10-26 09:41:40 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

and here's another quote:
The vast majority of casks filled were known as ‘refill’. In other words they had previously held whisky, had been emptied following maturation, repaired where necessary, and sent back for refilling to a distillery. The bourbon, sherry, port or rum casks only merited that descriptor for their first filling with whisky—thereafter, on emptying, they would become refill casks. You can find this on the following website:http://www.lfw.co.uk/whisky_review/SWR17/article17-3.html

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day1 hr (2006-10-26 11:35:00 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I withdraw the heading to my answer - your text is not inaccurate! It makes the distinction between "first-fill" and "refill" casks. All have been recycled, or used before, but the "first -fill" have been used for sherry or bourbon whisky, whereas the "refill" have been used for Scotch whisky.
I think this sums it up nicely : "A refill is any cask which has been used for maturing Scotch whisky more than once. In other words, any cask which is not a ‘first fill’ cask. Refills are much less active than first-fills"
http://www.whiskymag.com/magazine/issue11/12005043.html

Selected response from:

frenchloki (X)
Local time: 15:59
Grading comment
Yes, I think your last note is the one that explaines best what is happening.
Thanks also to Manuela and the others.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
3 +7used for the same purpose
Manuela Junghans
3perhaps your text is inaccurate
frenchloki (X)


  

Answers


9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +7
used for the same purpose


Explanation:
I would imagine that the casks they are referring to have neither been used for American bourbon nor for Spanish sherry, but for the same spirit they are using it for now.

Manuela Junghans
Germany
Local time: 15:59
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tony M: That's how I would understand it: refilling with THE SAME THING, as distinct from reusing for something different
10 mins
  -> thanks Tony
agree  David Moore (X)
19 mins
  -> thanks David
agree  Dave Calderhead
39 mins
  -> thanks Dave
agree  Sandra SAYN (X)
1 hr
  -> thanks Sandra
agree  Mark Nathan
1 hr
  -> thanks Mark
agree  ErichEko ⟹⭐
3 hrs
  -> thanks Erich
neutral  frenchloki (X): have a look at this website - it seems that in many cases, the casks are first used for sherry or bourbon, and then for Scotch/Irish whisk(e)y - http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Louvre/5822/casks.html
23 hrs
  -> yes, in many, but not in all...
agree  Peter Enright: sounds sensible
1 day 3 hrs
  -> thanks PeterE
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 day 0 min   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
perhaps your text is inaccurate


Explanation:
Her is a quote from a tasting session, giving the composition of the whisky:
What's in it?

5% Caol Ila refill casks - American bourbon barrels
12% Laphroaig refill casks - American bourbon barrels
17% Bunnahabhain American sherry
9% Bunnahabhain refill casks - American bourbon barrels
26% Highland Park - Spanish Sherry butts
14% Highland Park - American hogsheads
9% Ledaig refill casks - American bourbon barrels
8% Bowmore refill casks - American bourbon barre

It appears here that the refill casks have already been used for Bourbon.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day2 mins (2006-10-26 09:41:40 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

and here's another quote:
The vast majority of casks filled were known as ‘refill’. In other words they had previously held whisky, had been emptied following maturation, repaired where necessary, and sent back for refilling to a distillery. The bourbon, sherry, port or rum casks only merited that descriptor for their first filling with whisky—thereafter, on emptying, they would become refill casks. You can find this on the following website:http://www.lfw.co.uk/whisky_review/SWR17/article17-3.html

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day1 hr (2006-10-26 11:35:00 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I withdraw the heading to my answer - your text is not inaccurate! It makes the distinction between "first-fill" and "refill" casks. All have been recycled, or used before, but the "first -fill" have been used for sherry or bourbon whisky, whereas the "refill" have been used for Scotch whisky.
I think this sums it up nicely : "A refill is any cask which has been used for maturing Scotch whisky more than once. In other words, any cask which is not a ‘first fill’ cask. Refills are much less active than first-fills"
http://www.whiskymag.com/magazine/issue11/12005043.html



frenchloki (X)
Local time: 15:59
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Yes, I think your last note is the one that explaines best what is happening.
Thanks also to Manuela and the others.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search