Finish is an extension of maturation
Cask finishing is a method of transferring whisky that has matured in one cask to another permitted cask for further maturation. SWA guidelines also describe finish as an extension of maturation. Even if the period is short, highly active casks can quickly add fruit, wine, and spice impressions, so the balance must be carefully considered.
The term double cask
Double Cask is more of a product description than a statutory category. It is possible to combine spirits matured in two types of casks separately, and the process described by the producer may differ, so the label and official product information should be read together.
| method | flow | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Finish | Main maturation → additional maturation in another cask | Adding a second cask accent to the existing centerpiece |
| Double Cask | Combining different cask-matured liquors is common | Balanced composition of the characteristics of the two casks |
The Maker Game simplifies singles, finishes, and doubles into mutually exclusive configurations. The finish only indicates the total number of years within the selected maturation period on the label, and the double reflects 40% of the flavor of each cask. This is a game balance and not an actual production rate or display regulation.