SWA confirms that Cachaça casks from Brazil can be used for Scotch whisky maturation

The Scotch Whisky Technical File and accompanying SWA guidance establish what type of previously used oak casks are permitted for the ageing or finishing of Scotch whisky.

This regulatory framework means that oak casks previously used for other spirits (e.g. rum, agave spirits, fruit brandies) can be used if they meet SWA conditions, and if those previous uses form part of a recognised “traditional process” and do not involve prohibited additives.

According to Vicente Bastos Ribeiro, Managing Partner at Fazenda Soledade (producer of Rum and Cachaça) and Vice-President of the Brazilian Cachaça Institute – IBRAC, “as a result of consultations between IBRAC and the SWA, the SWA has issued a technical position in which it clarifies that

traditional oak casks used in the ageing of cachaça may indeed be used to finish the ageing of Scotch whisky, provided that all of the conditions below are strictly observed:

• The casks must be traditionally constructed from oak, with a maximum capacity of up to 700 litres;
• No fruit, flavourings, or sweeteners may be added after the distillation of the cachaça and before maturation in the casks. The SWA understands that any additions (including wood fragments) occur only after the ageing process, and that no substance other than the unaged distillate is added to the casks used for maturation;
• The casks must be completely empty before being reused.”

Based on this clarification by the SWA, I am looking forward to seeing more collaboration between Cachaça producers in Brazil and Scotch Whisky distillers and independent bottlers in Scotland to launch whiskies finished in cachaça oak casks as well as potentially some bottlings of aged cachaça in the UK. By the way, as a Brazilian living in Scotland and working in the drinks industry, if I can help in any way, please let me know!

I guess this must also mean that The Glenlivet 7yo Cachaça Cask Finish, a limited edition which was part of their Distillery Reserve Collection released in 2023, must have been one of the first producers using cachaça oak casks for Scotch whisky maturation before the SWA had even fully clarified their position. Hopefully we will see more examples such as this one in the near future…