Why is whiskey stored in wooden barrels?

Originally, whiskey and other spirits were shipped in wooden barrels simply because that’s what people used as containers for everything. After long voyages, drinkers found that spirits that had been in barrels for weeks or months began to take on the color and flavor of the barrel itself.

Why is whiskey aged wood?

After whisky is produced and cut down to a barreling strength of 60-70\% from the still run, it’s sealed away in oak barrels for years to allow these treasures to work their wonders, mellowing out the spirit, reducing its alcohol content and transforming its flavour from something straightforward and a bit harsh to …

Does whiskey have to be aged in a barrel?

To be bourbon, it must be aged in a bourbon barrel. A bourbon barrel must be a new, charred oak container. Some are aged for many years, while others may remain in their barrels for only a few months. It is required, however, for bourbon aged less than four years to sport an age statement upon its label.

Why is whiskey put in a barrel?

About 50–60\% of flavor in whiskey, whether it’s Bourbon or Scotch, comes from the barrel. “[Charring] begins to break down the layers of the wood in such a way that it allows the whiskey to come into surface contact and actually sees the process of aging as temperatures rise and fall,” says Caruson.

Why is whisky aged in oak?

The reason that Oak is utilized is its unique physical and chemical nature. Oak has strength – physically, its wide radial rays give strength when shaped for a cask. Oak is also a “pure wood” as opposed to pine or rubber trees which contain resin canals that can pass strong flavors to maturing whisky.

When did they start barrel aging whiskey?

By the late 1800s, Scotch aged in sherry barrels slowly began to edge out sherry itself as the drink of choice for the well-to-do of Europe, and the future of Scotch became rooted in its aged past.

Does whiskey have to be aged in oak barrels?

Given these facts, one might assume that to make bourbon, only newly charred American oak barrels will do, but this is a common misconception. While bourbon does need to be aged in a newly charred oak container, that oak does not need to be American, and in fact, it doesn’t even need to be in the shape of a barrel!

Why does whisky not age in the bottle?

Whiskey doesn’t age in the bottle. In fact, it’s quite inert. Assuming it’s properly stored, whiskey won’t change much itself in the bottle. What change it does see has to do with oxygen exposure, light exposure, and temperature fluctuations—and all of these things are generally bad for it.

Why is whiskey aged in oak barrels?

It is estimated that close to 75\% of the spirit’s final taste is contributed by the oak barrel in which it is aged from. The wood removes the more unpleasant flavors from the whiskey and brings out the better aromas. Better aromas mean better experience.

How does barrel aging affect whiskey?

Barrels breathe, therefore slowly oxidizing the spirits. Moving the barrels will produce air bubbles, further breaking up the compounds and forcing spirit integration. If the temperature is warmer, the ethanols will evaporate to the “angel’s share” at a higher rate than if the temperature is cooler.

Why is American oak used for whiskey barrels?