Amburana Wood: a rising star or another whisky fad

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of Amburana wood for whisky maturation. Amburana is a type of wood that is native to South America, particularly Brazil, and has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and in the production of local beverages such as cachaça. However, it is only relatively recently that Amburana has gained attention as a potential alternative to traditional oak casks for whisky aging.

Amburana casks are typically smaller than traditional oak casks and are used for finishing whisky that has already been aged in oak barrels. This process is known as “double maturation,” and it involves transferring the whisky to the Amburana cask for a period of time, typically several months, to allow the flavors of the wood to infuse into the whisky.

While Amburana casks are still relatively uncommon in the whisky industry, they are gaining in popularity as more distilleries experiment with different types of wood and finishes to create unique and interesting whiskies.

Wood Sources

Amburana wood is a type of wood that comes from the Amburana cearensis tree, which is native to South America, particularly Brazil. This wood is known for its unique flavor and aroma, which includes notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Flavour profile

Amburana wood is known for its unique flavor profile, which includes notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and spice. It is also believed to have natural preservative properties, which can help to prolong the aging process and contribute to the development of complex flavors in the spirit. As a result, some whisky distillers and blenders have started experimenting with Amburana casks to create new and unique expressions of the beloved spirit.

Amburana casks are known to impart a variety of spice flavors into spirits, including vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. These flavors come from the natural compounds present in the Amburana wood, which are extracted during the aging process and infused into the spirit.

The specific flavor profile imparted by Amburana casks can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the age of the cask, the type of spirit being aged, and the climate and conditions of the aging environment. Some spirits may also pick up additional flavors from the cask, such as caramel, honey, or toasted oak.

Overall, the use of Amburana casks in spirits aging is valued for the unique and complex flavor profile that they can impart, which can add depth and complexity to a wide range of spirits, from whisky to rum to beer.

Despite the growing interest in Amburana wood, it is still something of an oddity in the whisky world. While some distilleries have released limited edition whiskies that have been aged in Amburana casks, it is still a relatively niche product, with most whisky still being aged in traditional oak casks.

Spirits, beers and other competing uses

In addition to the whisky industry, Amburana casks are also used in other beverage industries, particularly in Brazil. Amburana wood is often used to make cachaça, a type of Brazilian spirit similar to rum, which is aged in Amburana casks to give it a unique flavor profile.

me breweries use Amburana wood chips or shavings to add flavor and aroma to their beers, while others use Amburana casks for aging.

Outside of the beverage industry, Amburana wood is used for a variety of purposes in South America, including furniture, flooring, and construction. The wood is prized for its durability and distinctive color and grain pattern.

It’s worth noting that the use of Amburana wood is regulated in Brazil, where it is a protected species. The Brazilian government tightly controls the harvesting and use of Amburana wood to ensure its sustainability and protect the natural ecosystem.

Amburana casks are used to age a variety of beer styles, particularly in Brazil and other South American countries where Amburana wood is more commonly available. Some of the beer styles that are commonly aged in Amburana casks include:

• Imperial Stout: This dark, strong beer is a popular choice for barrel aging, and Amburana casks can add flavors of vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg that complement the beer’s rich, chocolatey flavors.
• Belgian Dubbel: This malt-forward beer style is characterized by its complex, fruity flavors and can benefit from the added spice and fruit notes imparted by Amburana wood.
• Saison: This light, refreshing beer style is often aged in barrels to add complexity and depth, and Amburana casks can add spicy and earthy notes that complement the beer’s fruity and floral flavors.
• American Brown Ale: This nutty and malty beer style can be enhanced by the addition of Amburana wood, which can add flavors of caramel and toasted nuts to the beer.

Overall, Amburana-aged beers are typically characterized by their unique and complex flavor profiles, which can vary depending on the type of beer being aged and the specific cask used.

Cask availability and sustainability

One reason for this is the cost and availability of Amburana wood. The tree is protected by law in Brazil, where it is native, and can only be harvested with a permit from the government. This has led to a limited supply of Amburana wood, which can be expensive and difficult to obtain. As a result, some distillers have turned to using recycled or repurposed Amburana wood, while others have begun planting their own Amburana trees to ensure a sustainable supply for the future.

Consistency and education

Another challenge with using Amburana wood for whisky maturation is the lack of consistent quality. Because it is a relatively new material in the whisky world, there is still much to learn about how to best use Amburana casks and how to ensure consistent quality in the finished product. Some distillers have reported mixed results with Amburana casks, with some batches producing exceptional whisky and others falling short of expectations.

Despite these challenges, the rise of Amburana wood in the whisky industry is an exciting development that is sure to continue to gain attention in the coming years. While it is still something of an oddity in the world of whisky, the unique flavors and aromas that Amburana casks can impart to the spirit make it an exciting and promising new material for whisky maturation.

It remains to be seen whether the use of Amburana casks will become a lasting trend or merely a fad in the whisky world. However, as more distillers and blenders experiment with this unique material, it is likely that we will see more and more Amburana-aged whiskies on the market. Only time will tell if Amburana wood will become a staple of the whisky world, but for now, it is an exciting and intriguing new development that is sure to capture the imagination of whisky enthusiasts around the world.