Securing a fine barrel is the most important step in maturing a new whisky. Blue Grass Cooperage assures a constant supply of quality barrels for Early Times. After securing prime quality white oak, Blue Grass craftsmen carefully shape it into staves and heads. Expert coopers assemble these parts into 50-gallon whisky barrels. The barrel must then be charred, which is where the new whisky gets taste, aroma and color.
Age is important only insofar as how long it takes a whisky to mature.
Raise the temperature and the whisky expands, lower it and the whisky contracts. This is one cycle. However, Early Times is matured in large brick and concrete warehouses equipped with temperature and humidity controls by which we create our own weather. This allows us to ensure that Early Times undergoes as many cycles per year as is necessary. This means 4-5 cycles per year as compared to only two for most whiskies.