medium roast oak cube

[goinbroke2]

I bought some medium roast oak cubes and I wanted to try (for the first time) to add it to my stuff. So, after doing lots of reading, I still haven't got the X amount of wood per Y amount of likker. I read lots about to much oak will give it a "wet campfire taste" and it's better to use little wood and more time. So, I used one cube (1" square I think) in a 500ml mason jar.
Too little? Should I use 2, 5, 30? I am paranoid and do want to sneak up on it, but I don't want to have to wait 30 years either! LOL!

For only 500ml, how much and how long? (in general)

Thanks

[Dnderhead]

I used 2 --1/2x1/2"x6"=3cubic in. in a gallon came out about right.. so Id say 1or2 will do in a qt/li.

[goinbroke2]

Say 2 for a Litre which is 1 for 500ml like I have.
COOL! Thanks...
Oh yeah, how long?
A week or so or longer?

Thanks again (gotta love instant answers on here!

[Dnderhead]

a week+ just go by taste.

[goinbroke2]

One cube over night...starting to turn....light yellow/tan....ooh I'm so excited!! LOL!
I keep shaking the shit out of it when I walk by (it's under my bed).


How can something so simple be so much fun? Oh yeah I put on two more batches (30L ea) to be fermented/racked then sit until about mid march or later when it's not so cold out.

[Hack]

I use one or two 3/4" toasted oak cubes per quart depending on my mood. The first week seems to make the biggest difference. I don't know what several monthes or years will do because it never lasts that long.

[Dnderhead]

Yes Hack the first week or so makes the biggest difference in"color" after that the coloring slows down and aging begins.
give it time. it will only git better, not in color but in taste.

[goinbroke2]

Well I have real old vintage stuff that Is almost TWO WEEKS old!!

The oldest I think I have really was made during my Christmas holidays...hmm actually I might have a pint left from November stashed in the garage..I'll have to go look.

[Dnderhead]

Not knowing all the scientific stuff others do but I can say It does the same in a barrel, first takes on color, then seams to do more "ageing"
at the the "coloring" faze mite or mite not be to your taste. I myself like it "sit" as long as possible . I try to make more than used just for
that purpose. some I have is quite "old" and at time to time I dig one out for my own enjoyment but if word gits out it does not last. the last one
I cracked open was 7yeas old lasted about a week.and was not much darker that that witch is a couple of weeks old but is much,much better.
Iv ordered new barrels, if they ever git hear ill see what they do.

[goinbroke2]

Well it's been five days and it looks like weak tea. (I mean that in a good way) The taste is really good so I took the piece of wood out and I'm quite impressed. (maybe easily impressed I don't know...)

Here's the question, When you guys leave it for months/years, your leaving that same piece of wood in there the whole time right?

The reason I ask is, I took the wood out then got wondering, would it get even better if I left it longer? So, can I put one more piece in (I threw the first one out) and let it sit for months or would that be too much wood? I'm thinking the original piece is alcohol soaked and after that just ages, but another NEW piece would add even more "wood" to it.
Thoughts?


Oh yeah, what do you do with the wood after it's used? Throw it out or reuse it or what?

[Dnderhead]

same wood.just its better.

[junkyard dawg]

those old cubes and aging sticks are great for smoking food.

[goinbroke2]

same wood.just its better.

You mean I should add a new cube and store it? Cool!




I just finished bottling three 750ml bottles with one cube each also. (this is cheaper than essances also)!

I just realised how little I have left...hmm, and I thought 20L or so of 40% and 50% would last forever..it's been5-6 months. Previously a 1.75L bottle would last me a year and a half! (I suppose I never gave it away though, either )

[Dnderhead]

You can add more, just be careful, like spices at a point it gits easy to over do. if it starts to git to dark ,just take out the wood.
it will still "age". also if you are going to "cut" after take that into account.

[goinbroke2]

Thanks!