The volatile composition (26 compounds) of seven different types of wood (6 oaks and 1 chestnut), used in brandy ageing, were studied by GC-MS and the modification induced by the heat treatment, that occurs during the barrel making, was evaluated. Some of these compounds are identified for the first time, namely the 4-hydroxy-2-butenoic acid lactone in oak and chestnut wood, and 2+3-methyl-1-butanol, benzaldehyde, acetovanillone, beta-methyl-gamma-octalactone, guaiacol, 4-methylguaiacol, 4-propylguaiacol, 4-ethylguaiacol, eugenol, isoeugenol, 4-methylsyringol and 4-allyl-syringol in chestnut. Eugenol, cis-beta-methyl-gamma-octalactone, furfural, 4-hydroxy-2-butenoic acid lactone, hexanoic acid and guaiacol seemed to be important compounds, which could help to control the wood origin. The toasting process modified strongly the volatile composition of the different types of wood, particularly the levels of furanic aldehydes (furfural, 5-methylfurfural, HMF), volatile phenols (syringol and 4-allyi-syringol), propanoic acid, 4-hydroxy-2-butenoic acid lactone and vanillin. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.