Pin hole in aging jar.

[Steve3730]

Wondering if people here have tried this. I read i believe on a FB distilling group, the method is you put pin hole in your jar aging on some oak and it allows just enough to vent off to help simulate a barrel.I have never had much success with aging and usually prefer spirits I make unaged. So back in April when I read this I took a sample of some I had aging since 2017 and it still taste pretty harsh. Punched a hole in two of the jars and let them sit up until last week when I forgot about them and realized I lost about 20% of each jar. However it was well worth it, the harshness has disappeared and out came some nice flavor notes from the oak. They were sitting at about 127 proof and really have not changed much maybe 124ish. I'm happy that I finally have an age spirit that taste like a good whiskey and not just colored moonshine.

[Beerswimmer]

I have done it with success. Breathing is essential. Now I just use barrels.

[still_stirrin]

It also sounds like making better cuts will help you with aging as well. After 2 years in a jar with wood, the “bite” should have been tamed.

Another trick is “the ullage”, or the unfilled portion of your aging jar and periodic shaking and opening the jar to smell the product. This will help to release the volatiles and reduce “the burn”.
ss

[Saltbush Bill]

Yes it works.....Ive done it a couple of times.

[Bryan1]

I always proof test my runs and if it has a bite it goes into feints as everything I make has to have that velvet feeling when it goes down

[Steve3730]

Few comments about needing to cut better. Here is the strange thing. When white and unaged it is very smooth. But whenever I oak it it would then get harsh and have a bite. Venting for 4 months made it vastly improve over aging in a tight jar for 3 years.

[Durhommer]

I use cork stoppers does my likker breath thru that?

[rubelstrudel]

I'm aging in big glass balloons (30L) - and I stopper them with a piece of cloth, allowing quite a bit of air contact.
Wether that is good or bad I don't know. I'll find out in another year or so when the first rum is ready.