The whiskey community has been arguing back and forth the importance of age for decades, with older aged bottles being the prevailing favourite. Age has typically been associated with quality in the whiskey industry and, unlike vodka or gin, it has to be aged for at least two to three years. In recent years, there has been a shift in how the industry perceive age due to the no age statement (NAS) where distillers no longer have to show the age on the bottle’s label. NAS bottles have only appeared recently in the last five to ten years, but it raises an important question, does age affect taste and quality, and what do no age statements offer?
What the Statistics Say
It may be no surprise that the main demographic for luxury brands tend to be older men, however, the demographic continues to expand to the younger generation too. Older men (over 55) tend to be the main consumer of Scotch whiskys, whilst Irish and American whiskeys appeal to younger consumers in the under 25 bracket. The younger generation have become more adventurous with their taste buds as statistics have shown that 84% of drinkers in the UK start to enjoy the strong spirit before the age of 31. This could partly be due to Jack Daniel’s becoming a trending drink for youths.
The Rise of NAS Whiskey
In order to compete with the rise in demand, whiskey distillers have had to produce younger spirits more frequently. This propelled distilleries to bottle them with no age statements, and their older bottles became a rare collectible. However, the increase in producing younger whiskey works in favour of the distilleries, allowing them to produce countless young bottles to cater to this new-found liking. An eight year old Ardbeg was one of the 15 top whiskies in 2022 – perhaps an indicator that the negative stereotype of young whiskies may be a thing of the past. We are seeing more younger whiskies on the shelves in supermarkets as well, with the likes of award-winning Tennessee whiskey Jack Daniel’s, the traditional Scottish bloodline of The Famous Grouse, and the Irish richness of Jameson whiskey.
How Do Aged Spirits Affect the Taste and Quality?
The general consensus for old whiskeys is that they are high quality and possess a supreme taste, dominating any younger drams in the hierarchy. This is because it is associated with its rarity and expensive cost. Older whiskeys can’t be produced as frequently as younger ones due to a focus on aging the liquid for longer periods, thus increasing their cost and rarity. Whiskeys that are aged ten years generally costs less than £50, twenty year olds can sell for up to £700, and those aged thirty years can be priced as high as £2000, although many cheaper ones are available.
The flavour of an older dram is richer and smoother as the alcohol has more time to mellow, removing the harsh taste and creating a darker golden colour. The longer the liquor ages, the more flavour it gets from the wood and the grains, which is a key part in making the recognisable taste. It can be aged too long though, making the taste of the spirit too weak, or masking the original flavour of the grain. Some brands are more sought after or admired because of their rarity, like the luxurious Japanese roots of ‘The Yamazaki’, or the traditional Scotch whisky, ‘The Macallan’, born and bred in Speyside, Scotland.
Young labels should not be overlooked however, as they can be more complex, with some 10 year-olds having a larger array of notes and blends than a 15 year-old. While some young whiskeys offer a harsh liqueur taste that some may enjoy, others can mimic a much older tasting drink. Favouring young whiskies may be due to a change in consumers’ taste buds as well. For example, Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 is relatively young (and has a NAS) and it is the brand’s number one best seller and number one whiskey in the UK for on-trade sales (Statista). The recipe isn’t complex, nor is the aging process lengthy, but the statistics prove young labels are still admired. Another popular brand in the UK, The Famous Grouse, is a NAS bottle yet offers a complex taste with several blends of grains in one bottle.
What are the Rules for Whiskey Production?
The rules of distillation were set in place before the time of NAS but continues to be an outline for producers if they want to label their bottle ‘Scotch’ or ‘Bourbon’. For example:
· Scotch whisky must be distilled in a Scottish distillery for at least three years with water, malted barley, additional whole grains only from other cereals and fermented with yeast. No food colouring or flavouring can be added (a common rule) and it must have a minimum ABV strength of 40%.
· Irish whiskey rules are similar to Scotch rules, except it must be matured in oak casks.
· Bourbon whiskey must be made only in the US, distilled in new, charred oak barrels with at least 51% corn in the mash bill, and aged for a minimum of two years.
All of these rules were limiting for distilleries but the boom in whiskey sales during the past decade caused the introduction of no age statements which allowed a lot more creative freedom.
What Do NAS Whiskeys offer?
The introduction of no age statements meant that distilleries no longer had to follow strict rules. For NAS bottles, they could experiment with blends, combinations, and innovative processes. Whiskey producers have innovated with maturing the liquid in sherry or wine casks, adding extra splinters to the wood, exposing the barrel to extra light or heat, and even using music to make it age faster. Now, more than ever, there are plenty of complex, blended whiskeys that are young. Different blends of whiskey and faster-aged creations are just a few examples of the complex artistry involved in making NAS bottles.
So, what is the true difference between old and young whiskey, and does the no age statement make a difference? In summary, it all depends on your taste buds. Some may not be able to stomach younger whiskeys, whilst only consuming the oldest dram on the shelf – or vice versa. NAS whiskeys have allowed producers to leap outside the bounds of strict rules and present their customers with new creations. Young, innovative whiskeys are just as divine as one that is aged for 30 years, and it shouldn’t be forgotten that whiskey is an art – like how older art is just as admired as modern, abstract art. It really is all about how you perceive it!