So you might be wondering what the title of this blog means. Seems like a good reason for story time to me!
Barrels are made up of pieces of specially cut wood called staves. Whiskey and spirit barrels (the focus of the blog) are made from the wood of the white oak tree (quercus alba). These barrels are made at cooperages like the Independent Stave Company or the Brown-Forman Cooperage. One of the final steps in making a barrel for aging bourbon is to char the barrel. This means to literally set the thing on fire in a controlled manner to get just the right amount of char on the inside of the barrel. This is what gives spirits, especially whiskey, it's darker, brown coloring. It's also a large part in what gives the spirit it's flavor. We'll get more into detail about these things at a later date. In the mean time, check out these amazing pictures from photographer Luke Sharrett. They include some photos of the Brown-Forman cooperage and Buffalo Trace Distillery.
I need a catch phrase like Jason Pyle has over at Sour Mash Manifesto. -S
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