Bottles are the end product in the chain of producing whisky. You can't change the characteristics of a bottle (e.g. age) anymore. Whisky in cask is like a raw material, where age, quality and scarcity are not yet finalized. The table below shows the differences.
Bottles | Whisky in cask |
End product in the chain of producing whisky | Raw material |
Age and quality is determined | Maturing in cask |
Value increase driven by scarcity | Age can be extending the maturation period. |
Quality can be improved by re-racking into other casks. | |
| Scarcity is dependent on the moment of releasing the bottles. |