maturation
Double maturation
No legal definition
Maturation in two successive cask types where both periods are substantial — say ten years in ex-bourbon then eight in Oloroso — as distinct from a short finish on top of a long first maturation.
Not a legal term
No whisky regulation in Scotland, Ireland, the United States, the EU or Japan defines this. It is a trade or marketing term, so it is only actionable if its use is actively misleading.
Worth knowing
There is no legal or trade threshold separating 'double maturation' from 'finishing'; producers use whichever term flatters the recipe. Treat it as a claim about proportion and look for disclosed durations.
Related terms
Last reviewed 2026-07-30 · All glossary terms