Do most distillers use "white oak" barrels? Why?

Discuss any bourbon related topics here that do not belong in a forum below.

Moderator: Squire

Do most distillers use "white oak" barrels? Why?

Unread postby EHM » Thu Oct 09, 2014 8:54 pm

Looking to learn a little more about bourbon barrels...

For years, I thought bourbon had to be aged in charred white oak barrels. Then I learned that the law actually doesn't specify that it needs to be "white" oak, just "oak". Given that there are 90 oak species available in the US (and hundreds more worldwide), how did white oak become the standard? Flavor? Availability? Tradition?

Do any of the distillers / producers use anything other than white oak?
EHM
Registered User
 
Posts: 18
Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2014 10:23 pm

Re: Do most distillers use "white oak" barrels? Why?

Unread postby shulaw05 » Fri Oct 10, 2014 7:55 am

this seems to give some explanation - http://gobourbon.com/using-oak-barrels-to-age-whiskey/
shulaw05
Registered User
 
Posts: 22
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2014 8:53 am

Re: Do most distillers use "white oak" barrels? Why?

Unread postby EHM » Sat Oct 11, 2014 8:31 am

Great article. Thanks for sharing!
EHM
Registered User
 
Posts: 18
Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2014 10:23 pm

Re: Do most distillers use "white oak" barrels? Why?

Unread postby jaycamm » Sun Nov 23, 2014 7:56 pm

It doesn't even need to be stored in a barrel per se. The regulation uses the word "container".
one whiskey for every ghost
User avatar
jaycamm
Registered User
 
Posts: 34
Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2012 7:59 pm
Location: Melrose, MA


Return to Bourbon, Straight

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Bing [Bot] and 32 guests