Why Do Angels Take A Share Of The Maker's Wine During Aging?

The aging of spirits in oak barrels is a craft steeped in tradition. One of the most intriguingly named aspects of this process is the phenomenon known as the Angel’s Share. This term refers to the portion of the spirit that evaporates during aging, a natural loss that can amount to 2-5% of the volume each year.

While it might seem like a frustrating waste, the Angel’s Share plays a role in shaping the character and quality of the final product. This post explores the science, history, and impact of the Angel’s Share in barrel aging, offering insights for enthusiasts and curious readers alike.

An Angel in the Clouds

What Is the Angel’s Share?

The Angel’s Share is the name given to the alcohol and water that evaporate from barrels during the aging process. When spirits like whiskey, bourbon, or rum are stored in porous oak barrels, the liquid slowly seeps through the wood and evaporates into the surrounding air. This evaporation reduces the volume of the spirit inside the barrel over time.

The rate of evaporation depends on several factors:

• Barrel conditions: The type of oak, barrel age, and how tightly the barrel is sealed affect evaporation.

• Storage environment: Temperature, humidity, and airflow in the warehouse influence how much liquid is lost.

• Climate: Warmer climates tend to increase evaporation rates, sometimes exceeding 5% annually.

  
  

This loss is called the Angel’s Share because it is poetically said that the angels take their portion of the spirit during aging.

Why Does the Angel’s Share Matter?

At first glance, losing up to 5% of the spirit every year might seem like a problem for distillers. However, this evaporation is essential for several reasons:

• Concentration of flavors: As water and alcohol evaporate, the remaining liquid becomes more concentrated, intensifying the flavors.

• Interaction with wood: The evaporation creates a vacuum effect inside the barrel, drawing the spirit deeper into the oak. This interaction imparts complex notes like vanilla, caramel, and spice.

• Maturation balance: The loss helps balance the spirit’s alcohol content, often reducing harshness and smoothing the taste.

  
  

Without the Angel’s Share, the aging process would not develop the rich, nuanced profiles that make barrel-aged spirits so prized.

How Different Factors Affect the Angel’s Share

Barrel Type and Quality

Oak barrels are the standard for aging spirits because of their porous nature and flavor contribution. The wood’s grain tightness and previous use influence evaporation:

• New barrels tend to lose more liquid initially as the wood is fresh and more porous.

• Used barrels may have lower evaporation rates but impart different flavor profiles.

  
  

Warehouse Conditions

The environment where barrels are stored plays a significant role:

• Temperature: Higher temperatures increase evaporation rates and accelerate aging but can also lead to greater losses.

• Humidity: In dry climates, water evaporates faster than alcohol, increasing the spirit’s alcohol content. In humid climates, alcohol evaporates faster, lowering the proof.

• Airflow: Good ventilation helps carry away evaporated vapors, maintaining the evaporation process.

  
  

Geographic Influence

Wineries and distilleries in places like Scotland, Kentucky, or the Caribbean experience different Angel’s Share rates due to their climates:

• Scotland: Cooler, humid climate results in slower evaporation, often around 2% per year.

• Kentucky: Warmer summers and humid conditions cause evaporation rates closer to 3-4%.

• Caribbean: Hot and humid climate can push evaporation losses beyond 5%.

  
  

The Angel’s Share and Spirit Quality

The Angel’s Share is not just about volume loss; it directly impacts the spirit’s quality and character. Distillers and winemakers carefully monitor evaporation to ensure the spirit matures as intended.

Alcohol Content Adjustment

Evaporation changes the alcohol-to-water ratio inside the barrel. Depending on the environment, the proof can increase or decrease:

• In dry climates, water evaporates faster, raising alcohol content.

• In humid climates, alcohol evaporates faster, lowering proof.

  
  

Distillers and winemakers adjust aging times and barrel placement to manage these changes and achieve the desired balance.

The Angel’s Share Beyond Spirits

The concept of the Angel’s Share extends beyond alcoholic beverages. Similar evaporation processes occur in aging balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, and other fermented products stored in wooden barrels. In each case, evaporation shapes the final products' flavor and texture.