How whisky distillers escaped getting stuck in a butt

[Quaich1]

An interesting article about the historical marriage of whisky and 500 litre sherry barrels: "On a recent visit to a bodega in Jerez, the winemaker joked that he was on his guard for Scotsmen looking for butts to pinch. Readers hoping for a column full of smutty jokes will be disappointed. I am referring of course to 500-litre sherry barrels, known as butts or, in Spanish, botas, and these Scots were respectable whisky distillers."

Full article at:


http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jul/17/empire-of-drinks-distillers-butt-barrels-whisky
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"Always carry a large flagon of whisky in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake."
W.C. Fields (1880-1946)

[sorren]

Sherry seems to be going through a period of hard times, the butts are not as available as they used to be, therefore the distilleries that use these butts need to be very frugal, I'm sure some of the big boys will be buying more sherry bodegas, just to ensure they have enough butts...

[Quaich1]

[sorren]

I'm sure there are not many "spare" butts about, the big boys will have bought for years to come... That's why a few distilleries are trying other barrels, wine, rum and the likes... It makes for some interesting whiskys to come...