Angels and devils shares

The Devil's Share: Unveiling the Mystery of Whisky Maturation at Nonesuch Distillery

Whisky maturation is a fascinating journey, where the spirit evolves in complexity and character as it ages in barrels. One of the intriguing aspects of this process is the phenomenon known as "The Angels' Share." This romantic term describes the portion of whisky that evaporates through the cask and disappears into the air. However, there is a second thief afoot during aging that we call the devil.

The Angels' Share

In the traditional whisky world, The Angels' Share refers to the 2-8% of the spirit that evaporates from the cask each year. As whisky rests in oak barrels, it interacts with the wood, absorbing its flavours while losing some of its volume to the atmosphere. This evaporation is considered a sacrifice to the angels, who are believed to watch over the maturing spirit.

The loss is an essential part of the maturation process. The specific amount of The Angels' Share depends on various factors, including the climate, the cask type, and the storage conditions.

The Devil's Share

Unlike the angelic evaporation, the Devil’s Share is the whisky that gets absorbed into the wooden staves of the barrel. This interaction with the wood is what gives whisky its color and character, but it also means that some of our precious spirit never makes it out of the barrel.

You could say that the devil has a bit of a sweet tooth, as he tends to favour the sugars and other flavour compounds in the wood. The result? A tantalizingly complex whisky that’s richer in flavour—but at the cost of some precious Whisky lost to the devil’s greed.

Embracing Tradition and Innovation

At Nonesuch Distillery, we honour traditional whisky-making techniques while embracing innovation. Accepting and appreciating the loss of The Angels & Devils share as an integral part of the process is a testament to our dedication to quality and craftsmanship developed and understood by those that came before.

Conclusion

The Devils' Share is more than just a whimsical name; it's a nod to the challenges and triumphs of whisky maturation. At Nonesuch Distillery, we embrace this aspect of the process, knowing that this loss is actually part of creating a whisky that is truly exceptional. So, here's to the angels, the devils, and the journey of crafting extraordinary whisky. Cheers!