Resting spirits

[Justafarmer]

I read an article the other day about the importance of 'resting' spirits in the quality of the final product. It raised some questions for me that it didn't answer. The author says that the stronger the spirit, the longer it needs to rest, and that even clear spirits need to rest after distillation, with 90 days being the length of time that his distillery uses as a minimum. I wonder if it would benefit my products to rest after each step for a period of time before the next step, or if resting after proofing and bottling is sufficient? I usually jest let stuff sit in capped jars overnight after distilling, then let them sit for around 24 hours with a coffee filter on top to let it air out. I usually make cuts within a week or so and then proof it to aging strength of drinking strength and do what I plan to do with it. I try to keep my hands off of the stuff I oak for as long as possible, but that isn't usually too long. I usually make cereal based sugar washes or UJ, and I'm going to make some rum soon. I haven't progressed to all grain yet. I understand that stuff gets better with time, but is there a set length of time for spirits to improve in glass?

[bearriver]

Vodka certainly benefits from a rest IMO.

[S-Cackalacky]

I agree with Bear. There seems to be some benefit to allowing white spirits to rest. I've been drinking a white rum that has been getting progressively better with each new bottle I draw from the aging jar. That said, I've gotten into the habit of shaking and airing my spirits every two or three weeks while it's aging. To air it, I put a paper towel over the aging jar and let it sit for a few hours and then recap it and put it back in its dark hiding place for a few more weeks. Nothing I make seems to last beyond about six months, but by then it's tasting pretty damned good.

[Drunken Unicorn]

Can't tell you too much about vodka, but with my white rums, resting is a must.

Infact, I just read an article in Artisan Spirits that touches on it a bit. Here is a link:
http://www.issuu.com/artisanspiritmag/d ... 008_web/31" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

In the above article the author reference a video about a distiller that rests his gin for at least 3 months for the flavors to coalesce. Here is the video:
https://vimeo.com/39184670" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

When resting your spirit, head space is important. Generally, more head space will help the process. Openning up the jar every once and a while to let it breath is great too.

Cheers,

Unicorn

[SaltyStaves]

Based on those brandy carboys, headspace isn't the only consideration. Look at that surface area. Its huge.
A half full mason jar standing upright may be much less efficient than a half-full mason jar on its side.

[S-Cackalacky]

DU, I enjoyed both the article and the video. Thank you for posting those links. They emphasize the importance of nurturing spirits to their full potential and also serve to illustrate the importance of patience.

[Truckinbutch]

DU, I enjoyed both the article and the video. Thank you for posting those links. They emphasize the importance of nurturing spirits to their full potential and also serve to illustrate the importance of patience.

That patience factor plays a tremendous role in our hobby and it is a hard come by ingredient for most of us .

[Drunken Unicorn]

Based on those brandy carboys, headspace isn't the only consideration. Look at that surface area. Its huge.
A half full mason jar standing upright may be much less efficient than a half-full mason jar on its side.

I totally agree. I actually use a 3 quart bottle when I'm resting around 1000 milliliters.

S-Cackalacky, your welcome!

Truckin, Patience is hard. The best way to make sure you don't touch your stuff is to make a LOT and had the jars in random areas.

Unicorn

[still_stirrin]

...The best way to make sure you don't touch your stuff is to make a LOT and had the jars in random areas....

I keep mine under combination lock right beside my ammo. Safe and secure.
ss

p.s. - I'm due to add another safe tho...

[Honest_Liberty]

Another resurrection:
My feintkenshine has a solid bite but it's the closest thing to vodka I've made, but I haven't had a commercial vodka in a long time.

It's at 72% but it sounds like I should knock it down for resting. If anyone sees this and would weigh in, is appreciate it. I never thought any white spirits were rested. Maybe that's the reason they charcoal filter and add glycerin

[greggn]

I never thought any white spirits were rested. Maybe that's the reason they charcoal filter and add glycerin

I primarily do AG vodkas and always allow them to rest two months after the spirit run. I've found they generally stabilize their flavor profiles after 6 weeks but adding two months is easier math.

I add nothing to the finished spirit and I don't need to filter.

[Honest_Liberty]

I never thought any white spirits were rested. Maybe that's the reason they charcoal filter and add glycerin

I add nothing to the finished spirit and I don't need to filter.

That's what I figured with what we do at hobby level. The quality is so great it's unnecessary