Artisan Casks announces 2026 private cask portfolio
Artisan Casks, the exclusive private cask program from the Artisanal Spirits Company, owners of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, reveals its 2026 cask portfolio, which includes a 32 year old Macallan, a 30 year old Laphroaig, and a 34 year old Mortlach.
Each year Artisan Casks releases only a handful of whisky casks of impeccable provenance, expertly selected and cared for in ‘The Artisanal Way’ by experts in single cask whisky.
Established and led by James Mackay, Private Client Director at The Artisanal Spirits Company plc, a globally trusted authority in exceptional rare whisky, Artisan Casks is building an exclusive circle of Cask Owners through James’ unique network of private clients internationally and expertise, built over more than 10 years managing cask programmes for some of the world’s biggest whisky companies.
Following the program’s launch in 2025, this year’s portfolio includes single casks from a host of renowned Scotch whisky distilleries, each of which have been selected and cared for by the Artisanal Spirits Company’s expert whisky-makers, who spare no expense in skilfully guiding them towards the peak of their potential.
Artisan Casks start at $80,000 and extend into six figures, depending on age, distillery of origin and cask size. All casks are at least 20 years old and ready to bottle, whilst Cask Owners can also choose to age their casks further as desired or to celebrate a particular milestone, witnessing first-hand the technical artistry involved in maturing whisky of this calibre. To aid their maturation assessment of the cask, Cask Owners may request up to two bottles per year, which will be delivered alongside a whisky-maker’s maturation statement and evaluation.
The very first Artisan Casks bottle, Ancient Alba ‘AON’ 1972, from the first ever Artisan Cask No. 901228, was sold at the Distiller’s One of One 2025 charity auction for £13,750 ($18,767) – more than double Sotheby’s pre-auction estimate. It was graciously donated anonymously to the charity auction by its owner.
On the back of a successful first year the 2026 portfolio – 10 casks in total – includes beautifully matured single malts from world-famous distilleries such as Macallan, Laphroaig and Mortlach. Further showcasing the diverse range and artisanal ability of the whisky-makers, the release also includes a highly characterful 34 year old single grain Scotch whisky from North British distillery in Edinburgh, as well as ‘Speyside Symphony’, a 33 year old ‘teaspooned’ blended malt Scotch whisky.
Artisan Cask Owners join a discerning community of likeminded individuals and privileged access to some of the most desirable distilleries, renowned individuals and exclusive gatherings.
Last year, James hosted a group of Cask Owners at the Distiller’s One of One Auction at Hopetoun House, Edinburgh. In 2026, plans are already afoot for Artisan Cask Owner events in 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. We’re looking forward to bringing more people together this year for some truly unforgettable whisky experiences.”
Artisan Casks 2026 portfolio:
Bowmore 2004 Artisan Cask No. 161162 (52.6% abv)
Maturation profile: 17 years in a re-fill American oak bourbon barrel, followed by 4 years in a first-fill Pedro Ximenez ex-bodega barrique
Bunnahabhain 1989 161143 Artisan Cask No. 304554 (43.9% abv)
Maturation profile: 28 years in a re-fill American oak bourbon hogshead, 7 years in a re-fill sherry hogshead, 1 year in a second-fill American oak bourbon barrel
Caol Ila 1990 Artisan Cask No. 304554 (49.3% abv)
Maturation profile: 35 years in a re-fill sherry hogshead
Glen Garioch 2003 Artisan Cask No. 161411 (55.3% abv)
Maturation profile: 22 years in a first-fill American oak bourbon barrel
Glen Grant 1993 Artisan Cask No. 304565 (57.0% abv)
Maturation profile: 29 years in a re-fill American oak bourbon barrel, followed by 3 years in a first-fill Spanish oak Pedro Ximenez hogshead
Laphroaig 1995 Artisan Cask No. 151733 (52.9% abv)
Maturation profile: 22 years in a re-fill American oak bourbon barrel, followed by 8 years in a second-fill American oak bourbon barrel
Macallan 1994 Artisan Cask No. 305140 (52.2% abv)
Maturation profile: 28 years in a re-fill American oak bourbon hogshead, followed by 3 years in a first-fill Spanish oak Pedro Ximenez hogshead
Mortlach 1991 Artisan Cask No. 304590 (43.7% abv)
Maturation profile: 32 years in a re-fill American oak bourbon hogshead, followed by 2 years in a second-fill American oak Pedro Ximenez hogshead
North British 1991 Artisan Cask No. 901533 (51.0% abv)
Maturation profile: 33 years in a re-fill American oak bourbon hogshead, followed by 1 year in a first-fill Spanish oak Pedro Ximenez hogshead
‘Speyside Symphony’ 1992 Artisan Cask No. 173545 (54.1% abv)
Maturation profile: 25 years in a re-fill American oak bourbon hogshead, followed by 8 years in a second-fill Pedro Ximenez hogshead
