cask
Hogshead
No legal definition
A cask of approximately 225–250 litres, in Scotch practice usually rebuilt from the staves of American Standard Barrels with extra staves and new ends — a fatter, larger cask made from bourbon wood.
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
Because most hogsheads are remade barrels, a 'refill hogshead' can contain wood that has already served a bourbon fill and one or more Scotch fills.
Related terms
Last reviewed 2026-07-30 · All glossary terms