Solera: A process for the maturation of alcoholic beverages. Barrels are filled at various times. Upon maturation, the oldest barrel will be partly emptied and bottled, with some of its contents remaining. This barrel will be topped up with the some of the contents from the second oldest barrel. This, in turn, is topped with the contents from the third oldest barrel and the process continues until the very youngest barrel is topped up with a newly made beverage. Each barrel eventually becomes a blend of various ages and no container is ever fully emptied. This is a favoured method of ageing sherry, and has been used in rum maturation, among other industries.
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