Anyone know if there's a major difference in flavors between American oak hogshead cask finish vs French oak hogshead cask finish in whiskey/scotches?
I have one I'm about to crack open. My understanding based on reading on the differences in wine is that both will be similar. French oak is likely to be more smooth with a longer after taste. American oak will be sharper and have more alcohol taste, but a deeper sweetness will aid to neutralize it. In the past, I've personally disliked American oak finishes because some have a strange subtle chemical/sappy flavor that is reminiscent of glue, but my buddy never tastes that weirdness, so I'm not concerned about that flavor. I've never tasted that flavor in French oak.
My buddy had a Tomatin 2006 private bottling American Oak finish cask strength (bottled 2018) that he really liked. I nabbed a Tomatin 2006 private bottling French oak cask strength (bottled 2021) and I assume it will be similar and he will like that one too.
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