The Role of Sherry Casks in the Whisky Industry
Young wood, just like young blood, can be too fiery and unhinged. If young oak is used in a barrel, it may overpower the whisky, making it too tannic and adversely affecting the flavour and the finish. Still, that it does have an impact demonstrates that, should the correct style of cask be used, then it might actually improve the whisky. This logic applies to the use of old sherry casks for the distillation of whisky. The use of casks is...