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kmosiman t1_iujrz37 wrote

Reply to comment by OrneryGringo in Eli5: how is it possible that a wooden barrel, which is used for aging alcohol, does not rot away. by OrneryGringo

It's probably Sherry not Cherry.

Sherry barrels still have some of the Sherry soaked into the wood and add that flavor to the whiskey.

Many beers are aged in Bourbon Barrels to add the flavor.

Additional aging in certain barrels is all about adding flavors that would not be there otherwise. Sherry, barrels, wine barrels, bourbon barrels, French oak, American oak, maple, Hungarian oak, etc.

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