The beauty and complexity of a fine whiskey lie in the maturation process. The oak barrels in which whiskey ages for years and years have a massive impact on the final flavor of the spirit. And much like wine, picking the right barrel in which to let the clear spirit mature into whiskey is a crucial consideration.

In this lesson, bartender Dustin Haarstad explains whiskey’s aging process and why oak makes all the difference.

Learn hospitality skills for today’s world, including:

• The different types of barrels used for aging whiskey
• The impact that different barrels have on flavor
• Why oak is used for whiskey maturation

Servers and bartenders, up your whiskey knowledge with help from a star instructor!