how does the cask/barrel affect the taste of the alcohol?

Question

how does the cask/barrel affect the taste of the alcohol?

In: 3

Answer 1

For most of the traditional distilled beverages, the cask and barrel pretty much determines nearly all the taste of the alcohol. The exceptions would be those that use berries, herbs and other materials during the process to add flavor (like gin)

Alcohol after distillation is pretty much tasteless. So any taste of the beverage is added after distillation. For things like whisky – this is pretty much 100% from the barrel.