Key to whisky

What is the key to a unique whisky? Brewing technology? A pleasant atmosphere? Or the good mood when drinking whisky?

Throughout the process of whisky brewing to maturity, every cup of intoxicating whisky is hard won...

After experiencing the origin of wood raw materials, size and the characteristics of the liquid previously contained in the oak barrel, and then aging in the oak barrel for at least three years, it is qualified to be called whisky, at least in Scotland. It can be said that 60-80% of the taste of whisky comes from wooden barrels. Therefore, wooden barrels naturally become the key to determine the flavor of whisky.

The flavor of whisky starts with wooden barrels -- the brand-new oak barrels that have not aged any wine are called new barrels, also known as virgin barrels. The whisky stored in them has a strong flavor, a very obvious wood feeling, and has a flavor similar to pepper, cinnamon, spices and so on. As the strong taste brought by the new barrel is not loved by everyone, in order to retain the aroma details of barley, Scotch whisky is mostly aged in second-hand barrels to increase the level of aroma and taste, and reduce the wood and tannin of the barrel itself. Generally speaking, the most common used barrels in the market are Bourbon barrels from the United States and Shirley barrels from Spain.

We often hear people say "sherry and Bourbon Whisky". The so-called sherry and Bourbon Whisky are a barrel filled with Sherry before, and then emptied and filled with whisky. Bourbon Whisky is the same. The barrel containing Bourbon is emptied and filled with whisky for aging. After a long period of development, sherry and Bourbon have obviously led the world in whisky.

The sherry industry avoids the use of new oak barrels. Every year, the distillery will eliminate a large number of sherry barrels until they are purchased by whisky manufacturers, and have a new place to use. The second-hand barrels that have aged Spanish Sherry were born. Spanish oak has stronger wood texture and spicy taste. Shirley wine seems to have the sweet taste of fortified wine. It has the flavor similar to brandy and Shaoxing wine, and the taste is thick. Sherry whisky gives people the smell of an outdoor bakery, mixed with the aroma of raisins, nuts, berries or dark chocolate, caramel and so on. Due to the deep color of Shirley, Spanish red oak deepens the sense of color massiness, so the color of Shirley barrel whisky is darker, mostly red brown or dark amber.

Spanish oak barrels used for aging Sherry are of very high quality, which affects the taste of subsequent whisky brewing. Two of the world's largest Outstanding Single Malt brands, McCarran and Suntory Yamazaki winery, will fly to Spain to select and plant oak trees in person and make them into wooden barrels filled with sherry. When the time is right, empty sherry and add whisky to create their whisky flavor kingdom.

The United States has established a very strong relationship with Scotland through whisky, in which Bourbon plays an irreplaceable role. Bourbon barrels are used barrels that have aged American Bourbon Whisky. As the raw material of Bourbon Whisky is corn, and the American oak barrel itself has a soft and sweet taste, after a little fire baking, Bourbon Whisky releases cream, caramel, vanilla, nuts and other flavors, and has a light fragrance of flowers, honey and figs.

Scotch Bourbon Whisky is filled with different second-hand Bourbon barrels. The whisky brewed presents a transparent golden color and emits a faint light from the glass. The aroma released by mature Bourbon barrels is soft, round and smooth, so it is more suitable for whisky drinkers who like smooth taste and less strong flavor.