charred barrel
Fire-darkened wooden container
A charred barrel is a wooden barrel whose interior has been burned, creating a layer of carbon that flavors and colors the liquid aged inside.
Most commonly associated with bourbon whiskey, which by law must be aged in new charred oak barrels: The charred barrel gives bourbon its caramel notes and amber hue.
The charring process caramelizes wood sugars and opens the grain, allowing spirits to penetrate and extract flavors during maturation.
- oakQuercus genus member
- white oakPale-barked deciduous hardwood
- whiskeyOak-aged grain spirit
- bourbonCorn-based American spirit
- single maltUnblended Scotch whisky
small batch · smoke · toasted · cask · aging · staves · vanilla · caramel · cooperage · oak chips · charcoal · burn · scotch · distillery · wood · spirits · wine · flame