Aging question

Tuna · Post by **Tuna** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 11:40 am

I am still newb, but have been dabbling long enough to see the improved flavors with a month or two of hooch sitting in a jar with some toasted oak chunks.

If I remove those oak chunks from a 2 month old "short-aged" batch of UJSM, put the hooch in a jar and screw the lid down tight and put it on the shelf for a year or so, will I get the aged effect?

If the hooch is stored bottle tight, is it aging in flavor or just in days?

Post by **LWTCS** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:37 pm

Leave some head space. Open the lid couple few times a year or pour contents into another vessel couple times a year,,,,,,and leave some head space

junkyard dawg · Post by **junkyard dawg** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:44 pm

Do what LW said, or do nothing at all, it will get better. I prefer to do nothing at all. The complex chemical changes will still go on, working to a sort of equilibrium. You will be shocked how much likker changes over the course of a year or two...

Post by **blind drunk** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:46 pm

The complex chemical changes will still go on, working to a sort of equilibrium. You will be shocked how much likker changes over the course of a year or two...

Even w/out the wood, dawg?

Glock19Fan · Post by **Glock19Fan** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 5:46 pm

You could try aging in two separate batches, to compare and see what you like best for future reference.

But with the wood, be careful not to use too much. Just remember the longer you age the less you need.

I always let the spirit air out for 24-48 hours first to kind of give the aging process a head start through evaporation.

Post by **blanikdog** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 6:15 pm

Tuna, I always do as LWCTS has suggested as airing somewhat replicates aging in a barrel. Having said that, I more often than not dring my spirits white, but even white lightinng improves with age. Hope this doesn't confuse you.

Sorry, but I'm not sure what you mean with this question "If the hooch is stored bottle tight, is it aging in flavor or just in days?" I'm not being critical of you question or your writing style, it's just that I dont understand it.

Someone else is sure to answer it for you.

Perhaps

Post by **LWTCS** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 6:18 pm

That is worded a little awkwardly..

But like JYD mentions,,,I think it will age.....

I jes love the way my bottles start to smell at about 2/3s full

Usually don't dilute to 40%..I keep it proofy as hell and dilute with my mixer

Post by **Bull Rider** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 7:07 pm

I'm with LWTCS. I age at cask strength, about 62-65%.
Then let the ice do its thing. Now you're talking....

Bull.

Tuna · Post by **Tuna** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:41 pm

Sorry for the awkward wording.

What I was trying to ask is:

there is no question it is aging in days each day in the jar as it is another day older each day.

But just because it is a day older in the air tight jar each day, does it age for the better flavor wise by not being in a breathable oak barrel.

Post by **blanikdog** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 9:14 pm

Sorry tuna, but I still don't understand what it is that you're asking.

I feel really bad about this lack of understanding as I know that people have complained to other members about my style and I'm trying to be more aware of what I say and avoiding anything controversial. Again Sorry I'm so dumb.

Post by **Dnderhead** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:48 am

I believe I have it,He wants to know if his product will git better,not just older.
if in a sealed ,full bottle ,the answer is ,,little to no improvement.
if it is in a bottle with loose top or a top that can breath then yes it well improve.
this also makes a difference what is in it.like acids from wood or fruit.
the acids work changing some alcohols in to essences.also oxygen plays a part.
as well as evaporation.

Tuna · Post by **Tuna** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 6:29 am

Sorry Blanikdog, I am not a wordsmith.

I was afraid to ask if the hooch was aging (in the true sense of aging) in a sealed glass jar, because if I put it in a jar and sealed it up, and set it on a shelf for a year, the obvious answer to the question if the hooch has aged is, yes the hooch has aged, it was made last year and it has aged for a year, and therfore it is a year older (aged)

I believe Dnderhead has answered my question, in a full sealed jar it will not improve in flavor which aging does to hooch unless I give it some headroom and leave some oak in the hooch.

My hooch that is a month or so old and has drastically impoved in flavor from its born on date, I pulled the oak sticks, I cut it to 40% abv, fill quart jars clear full, and marked it ready to drink. I suspect some of this hooch will sit for a year or so before I get to it, I was wanting to know if it would improve in flavor. It sounds like I need to give it some headspace so it can do its thing, and get the oak back in the jar so the acids can do their chemical reactions making the hooch taste even better.

I love this site.

Post by **Dnderhead** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 8:15 am

a full/sealed bottle mite improve if other things are in it much like wine does.
but in white,it whould little if any.it takes evaporation and interaction with o2.
remember the old jug of moonshine with the corncob for a cork? that had other purposes
than just being cheep.many things they did in the past was done for a purpose.even though
they mite not know the science behind it.

Home Distiller

Aging question

Aging question

Re: Aging question

Re: Aging question

Re: Aging question

Re: Aging question

Re: Aging question

Re: Aging question

Re: Aging question

Re: Aging question

Re: Aging question

Re: Aging question

Re: Aging question

Re: Aging question