Why is “older” whiskey generally considered better than “newer” whiskey? And does this apply to all alcohol?
In: 5690
Just wanna chime in and say that most people seriously into whisky don’t consider age to be a defining factor of quality.
Older whiskeys are more expensive than younger whiskeys because it costs money for a barrel to take up warehouse space and more and more evaporates over time.
Generally, the longer a whisky ages, the flavors become more mellow and it takes more of the flavor from the barrel. This usually results in an older whisky tasting more mild than a younger one. I guess it could also take too much flavor from the barrel too if it is aged too long for the type of barrel.
It’s all a matter of taste. There are whisky fans out there that really enjoy some of the punchier, more intense flavors that you can only find in a younger whisky.
A lot of people enjoy the milder “smoother” flavor of a more aged whisky.
Also there’s a prestige factor with older whiskeys. They are more expensive so the price is associated with quality and rarity. There aren’t that many 30 yr old scotches out there and the ones that exist are pretty expensive.
Latest Answers