Jethro_uk wrote:
On Thu, 14 Jun 2012 20:38:35 +0100, dennis@home wrote:

"Rick Hughes" wrote in message
...

Whatever you had as a Blended spirit it does not usually improve that
much with age, compared to for example a single malt ........ also it
does not go off ....
None of them do after they are bottled. Its the time they spend in the
barrel absorbing the tastes of whatever was in them previously that is
the age of a whisky.

Not just that, but the *very* slow expansion-contraction due to changes
in temperature forces the whisky through the "skin" of the wood, which is
usually charred. This acts to filter out certain notes, whilst the wood
itself imparts a flavour - plus, as you say, any hint of previous cask
contents (sherry and bourbon are the most popular).

Er no. The wood is not 100% alcohol or water tight and the liquid
evaporates out. No expansion or contraction required.



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