Cutwater Barrel Rested Gin

When gin is aged — which isn’t the norm — the act occurs in oak barrels. Whereas spirits like whiskey need a significant amount of barrel time to develop more character, gin doesn’t have to spend much time in a barrel to take on flavors of the wood. Its light body allows a barrel’s woody nuttiness to make a standout appearance after only a couple of months.

Gin doesn’t require a long aging period, which often ranges from three to 18 months. Because the spirit has a delicate flavor and a light body, flavors from the barrel will become noticeable after short stays. Gins with longer aging periods can pick up strong nutty flavors and a noticeable woodiness.

Gin is not usually aged. In fact, gin is only federally recognized as an unaged spirit. The reason gin is typically unaged is that its botanicals and distillation process results in a product that’s ready to head out the door. Those who age gin do so in barrels and are seeking a way to add a particular distinction to their flavor profiles.