Midnight Cask Club
THE MIDNIGHT CASK CLUB
A Private Cask Program
Distil and/or purchase your own 53-gallon private barrel of whiskey. Follow its path to maturity.
100% Single Malt Whisky. Distilled in Colorado the Scottish way.
Bourbon & Four-Grain Whiskey to follow.
Whether you are a whiskey connoisseur that owns a tantalising collection of great whiskies, a whiskey club or just a passionate group of friends that enjoy whiskies together, there is one experience that few people get to enjoy. To distil and /or buy your own private cask, tailored to your taste and bottled when you think it’s ready.
The Midnight Cask Club is much more than an opportunity to own your own barrel of whisky.
This is a VIP program that will last your lifetime.
Choose to be as involved as much as you want to be. From selecting the grain and the barrel to mashing, distilling and filling the cask. We will be on-hand the whole way to make your whiskey
and experience as special and as memorable as possible.
Why join the Midnight Cask Club?
Hogback Distillery owner Graeme Wallace who is an extremely passionate and knowledgeable whiskey advocate founded the club. With over twenty years involvement in the whiskey industry and having had the privilege to taste (and own) some of the most rare whiskies in the world, the mission of the club is about passion for whiskey without taking it over seriously.
While our current focus is on single malt, we appreciate all whiskies and derive a great deal of enjoyment from experimenting and exploring how different grains and barrels affect a spirits character. We understand that no two barrels of whiskey will be the same, nor will two people tastes..
If you just want to purchase an existing cask then we are happy to oblige. However, we encourage input and involvement at any stage of the process, even if it’s selecting a “finishing barrel” in order to create your one-of-a-kind whiskey.
Members are free to visit the distillery at any time and can sample their barrel up to three times per year. We also hold an annual gathering for members to taste and share their whiskey with fellow members. Sharing ideas, feedback and stories with like-minded enthusiasts can only enhance your experience and there is always time to switch barrels if you want a change in direction of flavor.
Club members will also have the first option to sample and purchase special releases from Hogback Distillery’s own stock
Why join the Midnight Cask Club?
The Midnight Cask Club is a limited and exclusive opportunity to distil and own a 53-gallon barrel of whiskey made in Colorado at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. There is a limit of 200 barrel in the program with each barrels owner being an individual or a group. The program will run until all barrels have been allocated.
There is no limit to how many people come together to buy a barrel but if a club or group purchase a barrel, a maximum of ten people per barrel may be nominated to participate in the distillation process and to attend the annual club event. We will try to accommodate larger groups if required but do not have the facilities for infinite numbers
Initially, the program is for whiskey made using 100% malt barley. This grain could be grown in Colorado, another state, the UK or any other country. If there is sufficient interest, we will offer Bourbon and other styles of whiskey too. Once distilled the spirit can be filled in to virgin oak barrels or used barrel that have previously held Bourbon,Sherry, Port or any other content of your choosing. Additional fees will be incurred for larger or unusual barrels.
Barrels are filled with 53 gallons of spirit at 62.5% abv. A loss of c16% is anticipated during the first four years, resulting in c250 bottles. Less if bottled at cask strength or left in the
barrel for a longer period. The amount of evaporation generally decreases year on year.
What’s Included?
The price includes your choice of grain and a 53-gallon whiskey barrel, all associated cost to making the spirit, up to ten years’ ageing at our bonded premises, samples, insurance and sales tax.
A certificate with the number of your cask and fill date.
Membership of the Midnight Cask Club and invitation to the annual club gathering with all other Midnight Cask owners (Max 10 per barrel). We will draw samples from every barrel for this event. If you are unable to attend we will hold your sample at the distillery until such a time as you can visit.
The length of time you age your cask is up to you, putting you in charge of the final flavor. You may visit the distillery up to three times per year to take samples and appraise your cask’s progress. Whisky cannot be removed from bond until the Excise tax is paid, and may remain at the distillery for a maximum of ten years.
The emptied barrel will be yours to take home and have fun with.
What’s Not Included?
Label approval, bottling and labeling. This will be charged at $8.00 per bottle at the time of bottling. Excise tax and Sales tax will also be applicable at this time.
While we are happy to fill non-standard casks, this would be at an additional charge.
Equally, we would be happy to work with you to design a more individualized label or bottle but this would also incur an additional fee