CBP CBP Aging & Maturation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'age statement' on a bourbon label refer to?
- The founding year of the distillery
- The youngest whiskey in the blend (Correct answer)
- The average age of all barrels used
- The oldest barrel in the batch
Correct answer: The youngest whiskey in the blend
By law, an age statement on bourbon must reflect the youngest whiskey in the bottle.
Question 2: Straight bourbon must be aged for a minimum of how long?
- 6 months
- 1 year
- 2 years (Correct answer)
- 4 years
Correct answer: 2 years
To be labeled 'straight bourbon,' the spirit must be aged a minimum of two years in new charred oak containers.
Question 3: If a straight bourbon is aged less than 4 years, what additional information must appear on the label?
- The distillery's name and address
- An age statement (Correct answer)
- The mash bill grain percentages
- The barrel entry proof
Correct answer: An age statement
Straight bourbon aged under four years must display an age statement so consumers know the exact aging period.
Question 4: What is 'rickhouse' or 'rackhouse' temperature cycling, and why does it matter?
- A forced heating system that speeds aging to 6 months
- Seasonal and daily temperature fluctuations that cause the spirit to expand into and contract out of the wood (Correct answer)
- A cooling system that prevents over-extraction of tannins
- A humidity control method that prevents the angel's share
Correct answer: Seasonal and daily temperature fluctuations that cause the spirit to expand into and contract out of the wood
Natural temperature cycling causes bourbon to repeatedly push into and pull back from the wood, driving extraction of flavors, color, and maturation compounds.
Question 5: Which compound extracted from oak during aging is responsible for vanilla notes in bourbon?
- Eugenol
- Vanillin (Correct answer)
- Guaiacol
- Furfural
Correct answer: Vanillin
Vanillin, released from the breakdown of lignin in charred oak, is the primary source of vanilla flavor in aged bourbon.
Question 6: What effect does a higher barrel entry proof generally have on the resulting bourbon's flavor profile?
- Produces a heavier, more grain-forward spirit with less wood influence
- Creates a lighter-bodied spirit by diluting congeners before wood contact (Correct answer)
- Increases tannin extraction only
- Has no effect — only grain bill determines flavor
Correct answer: Creates a lighter-bodied spirit by diluting congeners before wood contact
Entering the barrel at higher proof dilutes congeners and limits wood extraction, tending to produce a lighter, smoother spirit.
CBP CBP Aging & Maturation 2
What does 'age statement' on a bourbon label refer to?