Introduction
Humans have been consuming whisky since the early 1500’s, when Scottish nobles had to purchase it from barbers (yes, barbers. More on that later.), who held a monopoly on the “water of life”. It’s come a long way and gone through many evolutions since then, but whisky remains one of the most universally highly regarded and sought after luxuries, steeped in tradition, history, and legend. At the Oaken Cask, we want to demystify this most magnificent liquid gold. Sit back in one of our over-sized leather chairs, have a dram, and learn from our whisky experts and market representatives about the various processes and ingredients that yield such complex and invigorating beverage experiences. Taste the difference between a whisky and a whiskey, and discover why in the world hairdressers would control the whole market in the early days. Decide which region of Scotland produces your preferred flavor profile, whether an Islay malt or a Highland. Let us guide you to your perfect pour.
Our Mission
To demystify the vast world of whisky by providing an unparalleled selection of whiskies from around the world as well as expertly trained bartenders to act as guides and wells of knowledge.
Origins (Story Time)
The Oaken Cask is the brainchild of Nathan Hostetler, an average nerd with an above-average love of whisky and a passion for knowledge and novelty. In late 2017, Nathan noticed that while wine bars had all kinds of tasting events and classes, there was almost nothing like that for whisky. There weren’t many places around that specialized in whisky or even had more than a few bottles to choose from. Sitting at a desk all day was no fun, so he started working toward starting his own whisky lounge. It would be a place where whisky was the main focus, where one could learn the characteristics of and history behind whisky, and where industry representatives could host tasting events, just like our brothers and sisters of the vine. It would be a place for people to relax in a big comfy chair, have a whisky, chat with friends, and unwind after a long day. It would need funding…
The Oaken Cask Society was formed in order to forward the mission of the Oaken Cask before its doors officially open and to show potential investors the level of interest there is for a decent whisky-forward place to drink in the area. The Oaken Cask Society is a club for novices and enthusiasts to learn about, explore, and discuss whisky.