Is it legal to Age Your Own whiskey?
The most traditional method of DIY whiskey aging is to purchase or build a charred white oak barrel. … Once hydrated, drain the water then fill it with clear, un-aged whiskey and leave it sit for a couple of weeks. Remember, it’s illegal to distill your own alcohol for consumption without a distilled spirits permit.
How long can you age your own whiskey?
Waiting and Adding Flavor
Within a week or two, actually, it will look dark and delicious. But, to get the taste you’re looking for, you’re going to have to wait anywhere from a few months to a year. In fact, many whiskey-lovers who want to age your own whiskey at home will do so for up to three or five years.
How do you age whiskey quickly?
The first method to speed aging (or at least to mimic aged whiskey) to be developed was rectification using other substances to mimic aged whiskey. Color was added to un-aged whiskey by using burnt sugars that would also add caramel flavor. The essential oils of mint added that flavor.
How long does it take to age whiskey in a small barrel?
According to the American Distilling Institute, using a small barrel can turn out “an excellent product in only three to six months.” With such a quick turnaround time, it’s obvious why a new distillery might start with small barrel products, since it allows them to put something on the market in as little as half a …
Why is making whiskey illegal?
According to federal law, making beverage alcohol at home is illegal, plain and simple. Why is that? … Distilled spirits like whiskey are taxed at the highest rate of any alcohol, far more than either beer or wine. (Actually, a tax on spirits as the very first tax ever levied in the United States.)
Is whiskey the older the better?
“Sometimes older is better—but sometimes it’s just older.” Old whiskies might cost a pretty penny, but for the flavor, Pickerell recommends choosing a more middle-aged whisky – 6 to 10 years for bourbon, and about 20 years for scotch. Any older, and you might just be paying for age, not flavorful beauty.
Can you age cheap whiskey?
Probably the most affordable option to play around with for aging whiskey at home is by using wood chips and staves. There is a variety of types available from different producers. For instance, you could just add American white oak sticks or shavings to a jar with whiskey.
Does whiskey age faster in a smaller barrel?
The advantages to using mini barrels, other than space of course, are time and money. The smaller, the barrel the quicker its contents will age and mellow. Simply put, the main difference between a bottom shelf or “well” whiskey, bourbon, scotch, tequila, or wine and a top shelf or “premium” offering is age.
How many times can you reuse a whiskey barrel?
By law, a barrel can be used just one time to distill bourbon in the US, despite the fact that these well-crafted barrels have a “lifespan” of up to 60 years.
Is whiskey really aged for 12 years?
So if the interaction with wood is where “aging” happens, that means our hypothetical bottle of Macallan has always been 12 years old, even while it sat in a cabinet. Whiskey doesn’t age in the bottle. In fact, it’s quite inert. Assuming it’s properly stored, whiskey won’t change much itself in the bottle.
Do whiskey aging sticks work?
It had a little impact on the flavor, making it sweeter and more mellow. The main result was to thicken the texture. My original blend was quite thin, and for some reason it came out creamier after the extra would exposure. Overall, the stick aging here was a modest improvement and in keeping with my past experiences.
Is it OK to refrigerate whiskey?
The rule I use is: If it’s under 15% alcohol or if the base is wine, it goes in the fridge once it’s open. Spirits like whiskey, rum, gin, vodka, etc. don’t need to be refrigerated because the high alcohol content preserves their integrity.