Wood
If a bourbon barrel is being used typically flavours such as sweet toffee and vanilla wil be expected where as if a sherry butt is used richer dried fruit flavours, treacle toffee and perhaps some sulphur notes would be expected. The age of the cask will also be a major factor in the passing on of flavours. Although a cask can be rejuvenated by burning and removing the wood on the inside it will still only have a certain life span.. The first time a cask is used it will be more active and will pass on far more flavours than it will the second or third time its used. A cask will usually only be in use for around 60 years. |
Many regard this to have the biggest influence on the spirit, they may be on to something as when you think of the amount of time the spirit is going to lie in contact with the wood you have to consider that that interaction is going to be integeral to the flavours achieved. The type of cask and what it housed before will pass on different flavours to the whisky maturing.