The Enchanting Tale of Bourbon Barrels: Devil's Cut and Angel's Share
Bourbon is more than just a drink; it’s a story of craftsmanship, patience, and the magic that happens within the oak barrels it’s aged in. Two fascinating phenomena occur during the aging process: the Angel's Share and the Devil's Cut. These poetic terms describe what happens to the whiskey as it matures, each adding a unique touch to the final product.
The Angel's Share
When bourbon is barreled, a portion of the liquid is lost to evaporation over time. This evaporated whiskey is whimsically referred to as the Angel's Share. As the bourbon rests in the barrels, it breathes, expanding and contracting with temperature changes. Through this natural process, approximately 6 to 10% of the bourbon’s volume is lost each year to the heavens. This is the Angel's Share—a sacrifice to the angels, giving them a taste of the whiskey's ethereal essence.
The Devil's Cut
On the flip side, there’s the Devil's Cut. This term refers to the whiskey that gets absorbed into the wood of the barrel itself. As the bourbon ages, the oak barrels soak up some of the liquid, trapping it within the wood's fibers. Unlike the Angel's Share, which escapes into the air, the Devil's Cut remains embedded in the staves of the barrel, creating a rich reservoir of flavor.
The Magic of Diablo's Cut in Smoking
At Diablo's Cut, we harness the power of the Devil's Cut to elevate your cocktail experience. We shave actual used barrel oak, rich with whiskey soaked into the wood, to create the most flavorful wood shavings for smoking. This is why our shavings stand out as the ultimate choice for adding depth and complexity to your old fashioned and other cocktails.
When you burn our Devil's Cut shavings, a remarkable reaction occurs. The oils and whiskey trapped in the wood release an incredible aroma and flavor, imparting a subtle caramel and toasted marshmallow finish to your drinks. This process enhances the cocktail, providing a unique sensory experience that’s unlike any conventional smoking method.
Our Trap and Swirl Technique
To maximize the flavor, we’ve developed the trap and swirl technique. This method ensures that the rich, smoky essence of the Devil's Cut shavings permeates your cocktail entirely, not just on the first sip. The result is an award-winning drink that maintains its incredible taste from the first to the last drop.
Understanding the stories of the Angel's Share and Devil's Cut deepens our appreciation for bourbon and its complex aging process. At Diablo's Cut, we honor these traditions by using the Devil's Cut to create unparalleled smoking experiences for cocktails. Try our shavings and discover why they are the best choice for a truly remarkable drink.
Elevate your cocktail game with the enchanting flavors of the Devil's Cut. Cheers to a new level of sophistication and taste!
Bryan the Barrel Guy