Pending patent for speeding up spirit aging

[mrviognier]

If you spend enough time in this industry (or enough time observing it), you'll learn that there's always some newcomer who'll claim to have found a shortcut to a qualitative and/or stylistic goal. It reminds me of those Japanese scientists that broke down the chemical composition of many First Growth Bordeaux, and claimed that they could replicate, say, Chateau Mouton-Rothschild in their lab. The resulting beverage was crap.

Time patience and tried-and-true methods have a reason for being the industry norm...at least when the highest possible quality is your goal. As P.T. used to say, there's a sucker born every minute.

[CorvallisCracker]

I know the craft distillers would hate it, but perhaps there would be some value in the US adopting the EU/Canadian standard of identity for whiskey - that it must be barrel aged for at least three years before you can label it "whisk(e)y".

That would put a quick stop to nonsense like what's being attempted by Lix.

[mrviognier]

Good idea; however, I wouldn't hold my breath. I have to imagine that natural market forces will take care of this guy...at least in the quality end of the market.

[tmckenzie]

I disagree with corvallis. I think a lot of (craft distillers) would be lining up. Bill Owens evidently thinks so too. What a shame.

[Joshua]

Well a microwave cooks a steak faster than a grill or smoker... but do you really want to microwave your good steaks?

Just because it can be done faster, doesn't mean it's going to be the same quality. I can't think of a "faster way" that is better in production of much of anything. Well aside from an economic standpoint... but we're talking quality and not cost here.

[jburlowski]

Most of these techniques accomplish something but they never get quite the same results as conventional aging. Also, faster isn't necessarily less expensive.

As in: age = wisdom.

[Josh]

I disagree with corvallis. I think a lot of (craft distillers) would be lining up. Bill Owens evidently thinks so too. What a shame.

Am I the only one around here who thinks it's awesome that one of the most pessimistic people here with regard to craft distilling IS a craft distiller himself?

[pepcycle]

The only way to the New World is to sail from Europe to the West Indies.
Anybody who thinks there's a better way risks unknown consequences.

[Gillman]

Well, there have been innovations in the past that worked, notably cycling. What's being bruited now is simply a development of that.

Gary

[CorvallisCracker]

The only way to the New World is to sail from Europe to the West Indies.
Anybody who thinks there's a better way risks unknown consequences.

Some ways might be better, and some not. Can you say "Hindenberg"?