Mature trees have a tight grain which is ideal for casks. Once they are made into casks in Jerez, Spain, they are filled with Oloroso Sherry and left to mature for roughly two years before being emptied and shipped to Orkney. Only then are they ready. Yes, it’s an expensive and time-consuming process. But when you consider that 60% of the final flavour of their whisky comes from the cask, then it’s well worth it.

Quercus was the third release in their Keystone series. Matured exclusively in first-fill sherry seasoned European oak casks, this whisky is exceptionally balanced with rich fruitcake and smoky peat, with natural golden colours. Bottled at 48.3% ABV and released in 2017.