Barrel age without Kentucky

10+ years of Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout is one heck of a long fad I must say

 

It will always be around for sure. Just not as much. A few years ago no one thought twice about it. These days though barrel-aged/whiskey fusion is the nectar of the gods.

 

First time having bourbon county stout and I was SOLD! Others just hadn't tried it yet

 

But Scotch makers can buy up used Bourbon barrels

 

But why would they?

 

To age their Scotch in.

 

Do they do this? Can't imagine putting a highland Scotch into a Wild Turkey barrel.

 

From The Macallan website:
"The Macallan’s oak casks are the single greatest contributor to the outstanding quality, natural colours and distinctive aromas and flavours of The Macallan. In fact 60% of the flavour of a whisky is derived from the cask it is matured in. Because of this, The Macallan spends more per cask than any other distillery in sourcing, crafting, seasoning and caring for its casks. Spanish sherry seasoned oak casks deliver flavours and aromas of chocolate orange, dried fruits and spices; American sherry seasoned oak casks primarily provide sweet citrus, light spice, vanilla and light oak flavours and aromas; American bourbon seasoned oak barrels give flavours and aromas of sweet citrus, coconut and oak."

Edit from Highland Park:
"The majority of the Scotch whisky industry uses ex-bourbon barrels for maturation. At Highland Park, bourbon barrels are not routinely filled. Traditional oak casks are used; butts, puncheons or hogsheads – no barrels – all seasoned with dry Oloroso sherry, which contribute to the distinctive richness in the resulting whisky. Spanish oak casks seasoned with sherry give colour, spice and dried fruit character, whereas American oak sherry seasoned casks give lighter, sweeter vanilla and butterscotch flavours. Sherry oak casks are far more expensive but the view at Highland Park is that they are worth it for the rich character and natural colour they provide to the maturing spirit."

Edit TLDR: Most Scotch is aged in ex bourbon barrels with spanish and american ex sherry barrels rounding out most of the rest.

 

Huh, nice to know, would never have guessed that. I was thinking there's would be no way a Bourbon barrel works with a delicate Highland.

 

I think many will, but the best will stay.


And as a whiskey drinker, bourbon flavor is much bolder than most scotch and Irish whickey's. Though different profiles, bourbon is much fuller body.

 

American Bourbon and whiskey is really on the rise and its easy to understand why. Scottish distillers are looking for a way to return to their status as the ultimate uncontested by a country mile greatest top dog whisky makers but I don't think that will ever happen again. Not that Scotland isn't possibly the best whisky nation in the world, its just that the US and Japan are doing things they never dreamed of and are closing the gap and rightfully being rewarded for it with rave reviews and bulging sales.
Thankfully, the trend for using old whisky barrels in Scottish (and English) beer is building here too. And that's a good bottom line.

 

That's why the best scotches in the world are the ones that taste the closest to bourbon!

 

I usually go for Islay Whiskey, Highland Scotches are a bit too tame for me. I prefer Knob Creen Small barrel small batch, at 120 proof it's a big bourbon, very well done too.

 

So does High West but the way I look at it its what they do with the whiskey that counts and both producers are excellent IMO so, I'm comfortable saying " their"

 

Had one or two gin barrel aged offerings and found them to be quite good. An interesting take on barrel aging.

 

It just wouldn't be the same.

 

I got a few words for you: Malort County Barrel Stout.

 

youd be surprised how many scotch whiskys have seen the inside of a jim beam barrel.
the quality of the bourbon that was in it matters less than the sweetness it gives off

 

I like Scotch (although I prefer bourbon) but, at least in the US, it's ridiculously expensive. I can buy better bourbon at a cheaper price.

 

Sounds similar to here. But the market for Bourbon and American whiskey is growing especially among younger drinkers. Unfortunately most sales are from the lower end of the market (Jack, Jim Beam, the watered down BuffaloTrace)but I have easy access to better stuff which is pretty common now. In most cases its competitively priced compared to 'Scotch' prices.