Is aged whiskey really better?

Simply put- the most widely accepted answer in the world of whisky is yes, well-aged whisky tastes more complex and better than young whisky. While certain whiskies age magnificently and build up complexity year by year, others can grow too woody and too bitter when left in maturation too long.

What is non aged whiskey?

NAS is short for No Age Statement Whisky. It’s spirit which is bottled, without its maturation age being stated on the label. It all came about because of simple market economics: surge of demand for Whisky in the last five to ten years meaning aged stocks have been depleted.

Does age matter in whisky?

There is no right or wrong when it comes to whisky. Taste is subjective and everyone has their favourite brands, ages and finishes. People often assume that an older whisky is a better whisky, but this isn’t necessarily the case.

Why is older whisky better?

Many people believe, and often rightly, that older whisky is better than younger whisky. Indeed, the longer spirit matures in the cask, it becomes softer, smoother and more complex.

What is the age of whisky?

It merely is a choice, as you may have noticed, the love for whisky tasting is more about the journey, not the destination. It is not to arrive at the world’s best whisky, but to taste the world’s best, and that is WHISKY!

What is clear whiskey?

White whiskey, or moonshine, is essentially just whiskey that hasn’t touched a barrel. Whiskey is actually clear, or white, when it comes out of the still. For the adventurous home mixologist, it can even provide a blank canvas for flavor infusion, and even aging your own barrel.

Why is whiskey better with age?

And it isn’t just because they’re old, though age makes the whiskys taste better. The wood from the barrels a Scotch (or any whisky) is aged in tends to break down the rougher flavors in the alcohol, leaving you with a smoother taste. The longer the alcohol is in there, the smoother it gets.

Is Scotch really aged?

All Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three years. Any age statement on a bottle of Scotch whisky, expressed in numerical form, must reflect the age of the youngest whisky used to produce that product.

What is non age statement whisky?

In the Scottish whisky market there has been a level of controversy over the last couple of years relating to “Non Age Statement” (a.k.a NAS) whisky. Several of the leading distillers now have NAS whisky in their line-ups for example Glenlivet Founders Reserve or Macallan Gold .

How old is too old for a whisky?

Old whiskies might cost a pretty penny, but for the flavor, Pickerell recommends choosing a more middle-aged whisky – 6 to 10 years for bourbon, and about 20 years for scotch. Any older, and you might just be paying for age, not flavorful beauty.

Does the age of a whiskey barrel really matter?

Hint: The barrel really does matter. Old whiskies might cost a pretty penny, but for the flavor, Pickerell recommends choosing a more middle-aged whisky – 6 to 10 years for bourbon, and about 20 years for scotch. Any older, and you might just be paying for age, not flavorful beauty.

What is a ‘vintage’ whisky?

But then, as if the confusion between age and no age wasn’t enough, I came across another brand that didn’t use age statements, or no-age-statements, but instead labelled every whisky with what’s called a ‘vintage’. These whiskies don’t have age statements, but they are also not necessarily no-age-statement.