Where does the gold color of whiskey come from?

* Caramel coloring: This is a common additive to whiskey, especially in the US, where it's often used to standardize color across batches.

* Oak barrels: The wood of the barrels used for aging whiskey contains tannins and other compounds that extract into the whiskey, contributing to its color. These compounds also provide the characteristic flavor and aroma of aged whiskey.

* Natural pigments: Grain mashes themselves can contain natural pigments that contribute to the final color of the whiskey.

It's important to note that:

* Not all whiskey is gold: There are plenty of whiskies that have lighter or darker colors, ranging from pale straw to deep amber.

* Color is not a guarantee of quality: The color of a whiskey is not a reliable indicator of its age or quality. Some whiskies are aged for many years and still have a light color, while others are artificially colored to appear older than they are.

The color of whiskey is a result of a complex interplay of factors, and there's no single answer to why it's gold.