It takes time for whiskey to be completely ready to be put in the barrel. How long does it take? What is the right age for whiskey? Is older whiskey a better whiskey? Let’s try to find answers to these questions.
Whiskey is, by definition, a spirit drink made from grain, fermented and distilled, and aged in oak barrels. For example, a drink that has been aged in oak barrels for at least three years, among other requirements, can be called Scotch whiskey. However, this time may vary by region.
Former Bourbon or sherry oak barrels are typically used to age whiskey. They can be used several times for aging – repeatedly used barrels change the properties of the whiskey less. They are generally combined, and the whiskey is aged in several barrels with different properties.
The purpose of aging in oak barrels is to eliminate the aggressive taste of alcohol and to add flavor components that have previously impregnated the wood. The wood itself also adds elements to the taste bouquet.
The age of the whiskey is determined by the youngest drink in the final blend. When drinking 15-year-old whiskey, for example, there is a high probability that some of the drink has actually aged longer. The same is true for non-aged whiskeys – sometimes young whiskeys are added to older ones to achieve new and unique flavors.
The longer the whiskey ages, the more flavors absorbed from the barrel are added to the whiskey. Whiskey that has been in too “active” barrels for too long can dominate the rest of the flavors and lose its natural character. Therefore, the old does not automatically mean good.
Good testing!