Guide to 50 year old whisky
50 year old whisky represents some of the rarest, most exclusive spirit on the planet. It can be an absolutely astonishing experience, though the world of whisky of this age can be a little hard to navigate; it’s not always easy to find the stuff, and when you do, it’s important to know what you like and why.
Now, keep in mind the age statement on the label refers to the youngest whisky in the bottle. This means not only is this whisky at least half a century old, but many include spirits even older still! And after 50+ years maturing in oak casks, the result is as multifaceted and characterful as it is rare.
You see, the vast majority of aromas and flavours in whisky are imparted during the ageing process. Oak itself offers up a wide variety of flavour compounds, lending notes of spice, caramel and vanilla. Most whiskies (particularly those made in the Scottish style) are also aged in barrels which previously held something else, usually bourbon or sherry, though sometimes all manner of exotic spirits and drinks. As the whisky ages, it picks up all this flavour and depth, and even becomes more concentrated, as part of the spirit evaporates each year (known in Scotland as the “Angel’s Share”). After 50 years, most casks will have lost between 60% and 80% of their whisky to the angels! This makes anything left rarer still…
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Author:
Michael Orson
Reading time: 10 minutes
Why buy a 50 year old whisky?
What does 50 year old whisky taste like?
Choosing the perfect 50 year old whisky
50 year old whisky by style
50 Year Old Single Malt Whisky
Bottles of whisky
50 Year Old Grain Whisky
Glasses of whisky
