A Mission to Reforestation
Before they shaped the whiskey we love, these rare oaks shaped the world we live in.
While the whiskey industry isn’t a leading driver of deforestation, oak remains at the heart of our craft. At Kinahan’s, nature is more than a resource — it’s our greatest source of inspiration and innovation.
Since the 18th century, Kinahan’s has defied convention in wood maturation — a legacy that continues to shape our growing portfolio of rare and boundary-pushing whiskeys. Every unexpected flavour note, every distinctive character, comes from the exceptional oak we choose.
To date, we’ve planted thousands of oak trees — with more to come. Our reforestation effort goes beyond replacing what’s been lost, we’re working to expand the population of these rare species, safeguarding their growth and survival for generations to come.
Black Oak (Quercus Pyrenaica) is a rare, native Portuguese oak, found only in specific highland regions. Its unique grain density, natural tannin structure, and aromatic oils are shaped entirely by the terroir of its origin—altitude, soil composition, sunlight, and rainfall patterns.
In 2020, Kinahan’s signed with Quercus (Portuguese Non-Governmental Environmental Organization) a collaborative agreement for reforestation, aiming to return dissipating Quercus Pyrenaica (also known as Black Oak) population and preserve it for the coming generations.
These trees sustain rich biodiversity and traditional livelihoods, provide opportunities for development in economically and socially disadvantaged areas and play a key role in ecological processes, such as water retention, soil conservation or carbon storage.
Our bespoke Hybrid Casks™ are a world first, crafted from as many as five different oak species — unlocking layers of complexity that are unmistakably Kinahan’s.
But perhaps the rarest masterpiece in our wood story is the Kinahan’s Black Oak SRP #08 — a creation as exceptional as its source.
