Whiskey Barrel

charred white oak barrels filled new bourbon whiskey , resting in rack house period of typically 4 9 years (for good-quality bourbon), char giving bourbon characteristic copper color.

note: section uses both u.s.–irish typical spelling whiskey , british–canadian typical spelling whisky .

laws in several jurisdictions require whiskey aged in wooden barrels. law in united states requires straight whiskey (with exception of corn whiskey) must stored @ least 2 years in new, charred oak containers. other forms of whiskey aged in used barrels cannot called straight .

international laws require whisky bearing label scotch distilled in scotland , matured minimum of 3 years , 1 day in oak casks.

by canadian law, canadian whiskies must aged in small wood not less 3 years , , small wood defined wood barrel not exceeding 700 l capacity.

since u.s. law requires use of new barrels, not typically considered necessary elsewhere, whisky made elsewhere aged in used barrels contained u.s. whiskey (usually bourbon whiskey). typical u.s. bourbon barrel 53 gallons (200 l) in size, de facto standard whisky barrel size worldwide. distillers transfer whiskey different barrels finish or add qualities final product. these finishing barrels aged different spirit (such rum) or wine. other distillers, particularly producing scotch, disassemble 5 used bourbon barrels , reassemble them 4 casks different barrel ends aging scotch, creating type of cask referred hogshead.