What is it about oak that is so special to wines and spirits? Why can't maple, hickory or birch be used for barrels?
I really don’t know why they choose Oak but it probably is the flavor.
I have cut up a lot of oak wood and I always thought it had a pleasant aroma when split open.
Why oak? First its flexible enough but not too flexible. Also, the oak imparts the flavors. Scotch is stored in used casks, typically bourbon. Some are stored in casks which were used for sherry or wine.
Its not only limited to oak but 2 varieties of oak.
You probably could use different wood but then the end result wouldn’t be whiskey or scotch. By tradition, flavor, and legal definitions.
Oak has vanillin