Each stage in the production of Whisky affects the final product. Geographical location, people, type of aging cask, and many other factors all contribute to the final flavor of each bottle of whisky. Distillery The distillation equipment, geographical location, and even the shape of the rooms all contribute to the character of a distillery and, therefore, the flavor of the whisky. Peat Whether the distillery uses peat to dry the barley will greatly affect the final flavor. The fermentation process Fermentation time affects the final flavor. For example, a fermentation process of less than two days produces a very distinctive, spicy flavor after distillation. The aging process European or American oak cask? Has any other wine been aged in that cask before? Is the cask toasted before use? All of these factors play their part. Aging time is also important; each type of whisky has its own flavor peak, and longer is not always better. The craftsmanship of the winemaker The skills of distillers and blenders allow brands to maintain traditional flavors while creating new, exciting ones.
