Angels' share
Angels 'share , also Angels' dram , in German about 'angel share' or 'Schluck der Engel', is a term from the whiskey distillery (but is sometimes also used in viticulture as well as in rum and cognac production) and describes the Percentage of whiskey that evaporates from the barrel during storage . The evaporated liquid consists of one part water and one part ethanol (drinking alcohol). How high the proportion is depends on several factors, above all the ambient temperature, the humidity and the type, age and size of the barrel used.
In Scotland and Ireland, where the humidity and ambient temperature are relatively constant, the angels' share averages 1 to 3%. In areas like Taiwan, where the climate varies greatly and temperatures are much higher, the Angels' Share can be 4 to 5 times higher.
The level of humidity also determines whether more water or more alcohol evaporates. With Scottish whiskeys, for example, more alcohol evaporates due to the prevailing humid climate , so the whiskey becomes less and less alcoholic over time. However, regulations by the UK Customs and Excise Office require that the evaporation rate of alcohol be limited to 2.5% per year. Since the climate in the USA is significantly drier than in Scotland , a higher proportion of water evaporates in the bourbon barrels stored there , so that the whiskey there tends to increase its alcohol content over time.
The evaporation of the Angels' Share frees up space inside the barrel. This space fills with oxygen during ripening . The oxygen sets the so-called oxidative ripening in motion. During this process, the oxygen reacts with the distillate, which affects the spirit in terms of color, taste and aroma.
- Financial factor: Since the liquid inside the barrel steadily decreases every year, the angels' share plays a particularly financial role for the distilleries. The longer a whiskey matures in the barrel, the less it can be extracted from the barrel.
- Declining alcohol content: As the alcohol content continues to decrease over the years due to evaporation, it must be ensured that it does not fall below the 40% for whiskey prescribed by law.
- Baudoinia compniacensis: This fungus grows particularly well near distilleries due to the angels' share and the associated alcohol in the air, which leads to black discoloration of the warehouses and surrounding houses.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c Angels' Share - What is it anyway? Accessed November 24, 2019 (German).
- ↑ Angels' Share simply explained - whiskey for the angels. Retrieved September 15, 2018 (German).