Alc % Lowering

[Adam78k]

So on my final spirit run's I've noticed after airing them out for a week or so I check the alcohol percent with my alcohol hydrometer to get the accurate percent, then I add water to the whiskey to get it to 60% to age. After awhile when I checked the alcohol in the whiskey, it was substantially lower than what I thought I aged it at. Do you think possibly when I cut the whiskey with water when aging in the first step that it could of been measured wrong because the alcohol and water was not mixed up and it could of thrown off a false reading? Thank you so much guy's.

[Prairiepiss]

How are you aging?

[Adam78k]

First part with coffee filters no lid's but with wood and cutting it to percent with water. Also chared oak stick in each one.

[Prairiepiss]

Your looking alcohol because your leaving it open to air. The alcohol is evaperating. Angles share. The angles are really liking you.

I would suggest only airing open for 24 to 48 hours off the still. Then after cuts. Seal them up. Every once in a while pop the lid and let it breathe for a min or so.

[Adam78k]

What about the percent of the product going down for example like 60% to 40%

[Prairiepiss]

What about the percent of the product going down for example like 60% to 40%

That's what I thought my answer was for?

Depending on ambient temps and humidity. You can loose either alcohol or water or both. If your aging open top. You can't expect not to loose any.

Maybe I'm not understanding your question?

Are you asking why your product started out at 60% ABV and dropped to 40% ABV?
Or why your container was filled 60% and it fell to 40% of the container?

Still the answer to both is evaporation.

You could get a slight difference in readings if it wasn't mixed good. Or the temps were different. But not that much.

Another thing are you aging on oak it any other additives?
Anything you put in with it can alter ABV. And or make the alcohol meter read incorrectly.