The Fake Whiskey Challenge

[Gillman]

Actually I can't, it just isn't in me.

Gary

(This is a double play on an old ad on tv here for, as I recall it, some kind of corned beef: the voice over said to the tinned marvel: "Say oink". The answer: "Moo". Again: "Say oink". Answer: "Moo". Questioner: "Why won't you say oink?". The palaver-ending replique: "It just isn't in me. ).

[Gillman]

I'm going to take a stab at a whiskey substitute. I'll use vodka as the base, add maple syrup and a dash of the juice from a jar of prunes. A little carob (used in some 1800's rectifier's recipes) might help if I can find some (even if in whole form, e.g., if candies, they can be added to soak in). I am not expecting much but it will be an interesting experiment. I'll make a few ounces and can always add it to the jar of prunes if I don't like it.

The value of these experiments, apart from the whimsy of it, is that it helps to tease out and catalogue the elements of whiskey flavor.

Gary

[cowdery]

I've begun.

This isn't going to be easy.

Convincing top notes, it turns out, are pretty easy. It's the body of the taste that's hard.

In the spices section at the supermarket, I found both anise extract and mint extract. A little goes a long way. Likewise with liquid smoke. I've never really liked liquid smoke in anything and I don't like it that much here either.

Go easy on the simple syrup too. It's easy to oversweeten to the point where it starts to taste more like a liqueur.

Best discovery so far: hot sauce. I'm using Frank's. That's in the literature, so I can't claim I thought of it. It gives you that burn in the back of the throat.

[tdelling]

You know, hot sauce is sort of cheating, since it's aged in oak barrels.


Other ideas:
1) Are toothpicks allowed?
2) If you use a tea bag two or three times, the next extraction is basically bitter tannins. So that's another tannin source there.
3) I think you're looking for things that you'd find in a Piggly Wiggly, but to my taste buds, kukicha tea is right on the money for formulating a whiskey. If you wander into Whole Foods from time to time, they sometimes have it in the bulk section.

Tim Dellinger

[kickert]

How is this experiment coming. I have been waiting for an recipe that is worth trying!

-bk

[cowdery]

All I can say is that it's harder than it looks.

[tommyboy38]

Has the experiment concluded? Any good results/recipes?

Maybe we can submit a bottle to the San Fran Spirits Fest and win the double gold for Faux American Whiskey.

[cowdery]

I never got very far and abandoned the experiment.

For one thing, you have to start with something like Everclear if you're going to use ingredients such as tea and prune juice, and I didn't care enough about the project to invest in a bottle.

[tommyboy38]

I may give it a try if I find some time...I find the idea fascinating if I was able to pull it off.

[pepcycle]

I just thought I'd give this a try.

Here's what I have infusing.

6 oz Pure Blue Corn based Vodka

10 raisins

1/2 a vanilla bean

Four Oak Chips Charred on the grill. (1 x 1 x 1 cm)

All ingredients are in a cheesecloth bourse in a mason jar with the vodka.