Spirit Flavors

Wood and Fire: How Barrel Type and Char Level Build the Flavors in Your Glass

The flavor profile of spirits like bourbon and brandy is significantly shaped by two key barrel characteristics: the species of oak used and the level of char applied to its interior. American oak typically imparts sweetness, vanilla, and caramel, while French oak leans towards spice and complexity, with char level further influencing notes from toasted sweetness to smoke and richness.