8. As strange as it sounds, how whiskey saved the whales all started with these barrels.
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10. Whether it's scotch or bourbon or rye, without these oak barrels, whiskey as we know it = whales wouldn't exist. Scotch ( Johnnie Walker) Bourbon ( Jim Beam) Rye ( Wild Turkey) Tennessee ( Jack Daniels)
12. The Art of Creating Whiskey The barrel contributes over half of the flavor and all the color in the whiskey. Controlling that process throughout the supply chain is critical to making great whiskeys. The men of this factory can crank out over 1,500 barrels in a single day.
13. The Art of Creating Whiskey It happens with little more than some wood, metal hoops, and some really loud machinery. White oak is basically used because it's got a chemical that seals, keeps it from leaking.
14. The Art of Creating Whiskey This way of making barrels goes back 2,000 years. But big machines haven't made it any less complicated. The barrels have been charred to bring to the sugars to the end. It gives the whiskey its color and flavor. The seal is tested by pumping it full of air. If the cork pops, it's ready for whiskey. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfsQEVDxuFI
