Whisky Age

Similar to grain type, malts used, distillation, and even the wood used to store the whisky can influence its taste, so does its age. The longer a whisky is aged, the more characteristics are revealed. In fact, the same whisky can taste very different if aged longer or shorter. As aging allows the whisky to take in attributes from the wood in which it is stored, a whisky that has been stored for some time tends to be darker in color and offer a more intense flavor for the consumer.

Unlike its alcoholic counterpart wine, whisky does not age in the bottle. While all whisky despite its classification is aged, the age of whisky is generally only considered in scotch whiskies.
An average whisky will undergo a minimum aging process of two years. Scotch whiskies are more likely to be aged longer. Why age you ask? The aging process lends the whisky many attributes. Benefits that can come from an extended aging process include color, body, finish and even the taste of the whisky can be altered simply by aging it longer.

Although whisky age may be displayed on the label of the whisky, it may not always be as simple as you would think. The age represented on the label of the spirit refers to the youngest whisky contained within the spirit. If the whisky is a marriage or blend of several whiskies, it may contain whisky that is much older than stated on the spirit’s label. It is not uncommon for a 10 year old whisky to contain whisky that is 30 years old. (Or even older in some cases)

While whisky does not continue to age within the bottle you can further the aging process at your own accord. Some companies carry 1 liter wooden barrels that a consumer can mature their own whisky further in the course of several weeks. AT home aging products can be used with any type of whisky and can be very rewarding.