Virgin European Oak
Origin
Spain / France / Hungary
Size
250L
Previous Contents
European oak (Quercus robur or Quercus petraea) casks built fresh with no previous contents. European oak has tighter grain and higher tannin content than American oak.
Typical Maturation
3-10
Flavor Contribution
Dried fruit, clove, cinnamon, dark chocolate, and firm tannin. More tannic and spicy than American oak with less vanilla sweetness.
About
New European oak casks (Quercus robur or Quercus petraea) that have never held wine or sherry. European oak has a wider grain and higher tannin content than American oak, resulting in more structured, spicy, and sometimes astringent whiskies. Some distillers use virgin European oak for a portion of maturation to add backbone and tannic grip. Requires careful management as the intense tannins can overwhelm if over-extracted.