In the first year of aging, around eight (8) percent of the bourbon in a barrel is either absorbed by the barrel (Devils Cut) or evaporates (Angels’ Share). Depending on cellaring conditions, three to four percent of bourbon naturally evaporates during every following year of barrel aging, resulting in a net loss of about one-third of the total product by the bourbon is 7 or so years old. The Angels’ Share, said to have escaped up to heaven.
