Whiskey science pop quiz: What's the primary chemical reason charring the inside of a barrel makes whiskey better?

No Googling. The char layer isn't just for looks—there's real chemistry happening. Vote your best guess, then argue about it in the comments. Answer + explanation dropping in 24h.

Poll options:

• It caramelizes wood hemicellulose into vanillin & sweet notes
• The carbon layer adsorbs sulfur compounds & other off-flavors
• It breaks down lignin, releasing aromatic phenols
• All three happen at once—that's the point