Do you think the taste of whiskey has changed over the course of many years?

Question

Some brands of whiskey go back more than 150 years, but even if they use the same recipe some things must change.
The technology used for filtering and distilling gets better, changes to the way crops are grown changes the taste of the ingredients, processes that used to be done by hand are now automated, etc.
I know there is no way to check this for certain but just suppose I had a time machine and could travel back in time to taste whiskey from 35 years ago, or 75 years, or 100 years, what if any difference might I notice?

Utility Account · Accepted Answer

Does it matter? The point of distilling whiskey, or making nearly any other product, is not to make something identical to a century old sample. It is to sell to the current market.

kswck2 · Answer

It has not and distilleries have taken great pains to make sure it does NOT.

Anonymous · Answer

Maybe yes

CB · Answer

There are always minor changes (wood differences alone in the charred aging barrels) and mostly the changes are for the better. However the 'tasters' are capable of identifying off flavors and adjust as necessary, but I am sure it is more science nowadays to keep the batches consistent.

CrustyCurmudgeon · Answer

Distillers aren't fools, and they would be foolish to change the production method of a popular brand if it would change the drinking experience.  What has changed is the preference for rye as the mash grain.  It is much less in vogue now than a century or two ago.

Trending News

Do you think the taste of whiskey has changed over the course of many years?

5 Answers