Has anyone tried this ?
http://bourbonr.com/blog/how-to-age-whiskey-at-home/
Start with the cheap crap, and make it better.
I know it wont bring in any awards, for that you need the weird crap these guys sell.
https://www.homebrewing.org/Kentucky-Bourbon-Whiskey-Flavoring-Essence-Liquor-Quik--_p_1971.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIt9TwmaHj1gIVhlmGCh3KngNiEAQYBCABEgI7MfD_BwE
LOL.
But I am serious about burning up some wood chips and tossing it with this undrinkable Taaco vodka I got sitting around into a jar for a few weeks.
Cool.
Buddha.
They do have an electric smoker which might be a better idea
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LXM1AAY/ref=asc_df_B01LXM1AAY5207972/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B01LXM1AAY&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167126565975&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15689622786373670474&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9013349&hvtargid=pla-497660456392
I've used these things before. Work great in confined spaces. (Like bottles?)
Aaron
I've used it. It's an interesting "science experiment" as you can taste as it ages, and it actually works fairly well.
A few small distilleries have tried "baby casks" as a method to speed production, less spirit in a smaller barrel equals a higher wood surface area to liquid volume ratio, and does speed up the aging process. By the same logic a piece of charcoal in a bottle should have a similar effect and indeed will sufficiently brown a whiskey in a matter of weeks. All that being said, however, without the hot and cold of the seasons over the years drawing the liquor into the wood and pressing it back out you don't get anywhere near the same flavor profile as a properly aged spirit.
My favorite one was "whiskey acres" corn whiskey. A few years ago they were such a new distillery that their aged sprit was just barreled when they came to market selling a white whiskey. They included a charcoal spiral with the bottle to give us a "preview" of what their aged whiskey might be like. It was good, both white and "aged" with the charcoal. I was hoping to get a bottle of their real aged whiskey when it matured but as I am no longer in Illinois I think it may be difficult to aquire.
The unfortunate truth, though, is that to get a good aged whiskey you need a good base. Using a charcoal piece in a bottle of crap will yield slightly more mellow crap. If you can do it on the cheap, like a novelty, and are interested in the result I say go for it, but keep expectations low.
I'm spending $10 on a $10 bottle of vodka to make it taste like a $12 bottle of whisky. Yea awesome savings there ...
Cool.
Buddha.
Quote from: Watcher on October 09, 2017, 09:24:21 AM
All that being said, however, without the hot and cold of the seasons over the years drawing the liquor into the wood and pressing it back out you don't get anywhere near the same flavor profile as a properly aged spirit.
I already like the blander more tasteless whisky/bourbon types. However, the Taaco vodka is just plain gasoline grade.
I plan on leaving it in my car, subject to the vagaries of temp on the last few days of summer in south cacalackyisthan, and I have some nice cherry chips toasted up in my "air fryer".
Cool.
Buddha.
The 1 day of wood chipping turned it light beer colored. If it turns caramel like, I'll be taking up a little hip flask to the weekend state fair to keep me company.
BTW I have some seriously good memories with this flask, back in the day ... its a 10oz, fits a jean pocket nice and tight, sheet metal stainless with rolled edges. the kind you can not even get now. The cast pewter 5oz crap. LOL, I aint drinking no 5 oz all day.
Cool.
Buddha.
Lol enjoy.
Aaron
OK its still pretty light. Very much light beer colored, I started drinking it, its better than it was.
Cool.
Buddha.
That's pretty cool.
Aaron