This exploration series showcases the art of cask finishing across multiple continents, featuring whiskies from New Zealand, Tasmania, and Scotland all finished in wine casks. The collection demonstrates how different wine cask types - from Pinot Noir to Grenache - impart distinct flavour profiles to single malt whiskies. Each bottle represents a different distillery's approach to wine cask maturation, making it an educational journey through modern whisky innovation.

The varying alcohol strengths from 48.3% to 63.5% reflect each distillery's philosophy on optimal bottling strength for their specific cask finish. Higher proof whiskies like the Adams Distillery at 63.5% are bottled at cask strength to preserve the full intensity of the heavily charred American oak and Shiraz cask influence. The lower strengths allow the wine cask characteristics to integrate more harmoniously, particularly important for delicate finishes like the French oak treatments.

Wine cask finishing adds layers of complexity by introducing tannins, fruit esters, and colour compounds from the previous wine. The Pinot Noir cask contributes elegant red fruit notes, while the Bordeaux finish from the Benrinnes adds structured tannins and dark berry characteristics. These wine influences complement the whisky's natural caramel and toffee notes, creating a more sophisticated flavour architecture that bridges the gap between whisky and wine appreciation.

This collection highlights Tasmania's emergence as a world-class whisky region alongside established producers from New Zealand and Scotland. Tasmanian distilleries like Belgrove, Shene, and Adams benefit from the island's pristine environment and cool climate, which slows maturation and creates more complex flavour development. Comparing these with the Speyside Benrinnes and New Zealand expressions demonstrates how terroir influences whisky character even when similar wine cask finishing techniques are employed.

Start with the lower proof expressions to calibrate your palate, beginning with the New Zealand collection at 48.3% before progressing to the cask strength Adams at 63.5%. The medium-bodied character and wine cask influences mean these whiskies benefit from a few drops of water to open up the aromatics, particularly the higher proof bottles. Taste them over several sessions to appreciate how each distillery's house style interacts with their chosen wine cask finishing.