NAO: a toast to a new era
French cooperage NAO is bringing precision, speed and elegance to maturation with its patented Grand Aroma Toasting technology.
In the spirits world, maturation is key, particularly for categories such as Cognac, rum and Scotch whisky. It defines not only flavour but identity. And today, a French family-owned cooperage from Cognac is helping producers worldwide reimagine what the ageing process can deliver.
For more than two decades, NAO has been crafting barrels that travel from France to distilleries across the globe. The company’s latest breakthrough, the patented Grand Aroma Toasting (GAT) technology, is transforming how spirits interact with oak, bringing unprecedented precision, speed, and elegance to the ageing process.
Unlike conventional flavouring methods, GAT relies solely on the wood’s natural capacity to extract, retain and release aromas. It is not about layering on heavy oak notes, not about adding artificial botanical flavours. Instead, it allows a subtle transfer of aromas deep into the staves, unlocking nuanced flavours that integrate seamlessly with the distillate. Developed over three years in collaboration with leading distillers, the process ensures smoother maturation, refined complexity, and consistent results. The patented toasting method transfers fragrant compounds into spirits, without exposure to artificial flavourings.
Because GAT works with the natural environment, barrels can integrate fruits, botanicals, and spices from local terroirs. This results in liquid that is rooted in their place of origin, while offering distillers an expanded creative palette. Whether it’s cocoa, citrus, floral notes, or exotic spice, the spectrum of possibilities is broader than ever before.
For distilleries, there are many benefits to using GAT. It provides faster results by cutting down maturation times without sacrificing depth, and it enables barrels to be reused for up to two finishing cycles.
In an industry that relies on consistency, NAO also provides repeatable, scalable flavour profiles that support innovation at both craft and industrial scale.
NAO has successfully worked with renowned producers in Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America, who have created special edition releases and permanent ranges shaped by GAT barrels.
Behind the technology is a small team of 10 coopers, marrying traditional savoir-faire with state-of-the-art tools and dedicated research and development (R&D). Sustainability is equally essential: NAO trades more than 40,000 barrels annually, part of which are reconditioned to perfection by the company’s team of coopers.
With Grand Aroma Toasting, NAO is not just supplying barrels, it’s equipping distillers with the tools to shape the future of the spirits industry. For producers seeking creativity, confidence, and authenticity, the next era of maturation has already begun.
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