Aging

Aging is the process of storing distilled spirits for an extended period, allowing the liquid to interact with wood in barrels or oak chips to create a more complex and flavorful profile.

Barrel or Cask-Aging

Barrel or cask-aging involves storing the distilled spirits in a wooden barrel, often made of oak, to impart flavors such as vanilla, caramel, and wood spices from the wood.

Oak Chips Aging

Oak chips are an alternative to barrel aging. Allow your spirits to infuse with the wood chips to create a delicious, smoky flavor.

ABV

ABV stands for Alcohol by Volume and is the percentage of alcohol in a solution. In home distilling, ABV is essential to know for aging purposes.

Aging Time

The length of aging time will vary depending on personal preference and the desired flavor profile. The longer spirits age, the smokier and woodier the flavor will become.

Yeast Usage

Yeast usage is crucial in the fermentation process of home distilling. Unique methods include using a mash of grains (wheat, corn, or barley) or molasses instead of fruit when creating the yeast starter, which results in a distinct flavor.

See: best yeasts for air still

Distilled Products

Some popular types of distilled spirits that benefit from aging include whiskey, bourbon, brandy, and rum.