Bourbon Infusion Kits

[wrath186]

I recently received an infusion kit for my birthday. From what I can see it comes with everything from a charred white oak barrel to several packets of dried herbs for infusion.

My question is what liquor to use? I have two bottles of Maker's Mark White and I thought that might be the way to go, but since I've never done this before I figured I would ask my question here to get some thoughts and opinions.

Any ideas?

[Trey Manthey]

You might just try dumping those MM bottles in for a couple months, but I doubt it would make them better. Probably worse. Especially if you put herbs in with it!

A better bet would be to pick up some white dog, such as the Buffalo Trace product. This way, after a few months, not only would you see a color difference, but also a noticeable transformation into something more bourbon-like.

[White Dog]

You might just try dumping those MM bottles in for a couple months, but I doubt it would make them better. Probably worse. Especially if you put herbs in with it!

A better bet would be to pick up some white dog, such as the Buffalo Trace product. This way, after a few months, not only would you see a color difference, but also a noticeable transformation into something more bourbon-like.

The Makers that he has is the white dog.

I actually think putting regular Makers in would be more interesting. If he fills it with white dog for a few months, all he'll have is micro-distiller Whiskey.:grin:

[White Dog]

If you decide to use the herbs, I would recommend doing it with a gin.

[wripvanwrinkle]

I don't know about this particular kit, but if you decide to infuse ghost peppers then don't use Old Grand Dad. Having said that though, maybe the Old Grand Dad wasn't the problem...

[angler82]

I don't know how whiskey would do with herbs but my wife infused Jim Beam white with peaches and it came out surprisingly awesome.

[wrath186]

Ok, maybe herbs was the incorrect word. There are various packets in the kit. One contains essence of lemon peel. Another has dried wormwood and a third has sarsaparilla roots. The wormwood and sarsaparilla seemed like herbs to me. I've read about making infusions with fresh fruits and bourbon, but this has the cask and I'm looking to see if I can make something interesting and drinkable.

I'm hesitant to use the Makers Mark White because I can't replace the bottles unless I take another trip down to the distillery.

[HighInTheMtns]

I'd call those things herbs.

As far as the charred barrel goes, do some reading around here about other people's experiences with them. In general, those have been not so good. If the Maker's white dog is hard for you to replace, don't use it. You're not likely to come up with something you'll be happy with.

If it were me, I'd pick up some cheapish, youngish, high proof bourbon and pour that in. WT101 would probably be my choice. Keep a close eye on it because it will change fast.

I'd actually be more interested in the second and third rebarrelings using that barrel than the first - I think of it this way: the bourbon you pour in (unless you do end up using the white dog) has already extracted the flavors found in a brand new charred barrel. Once you run a batch of bourbon through the barrel, the barrel and the next batch you fill it with will be somewhat closer together as far as aging goes. This is speculation; I haven't done it myself, but I'm thinking you'll have better luck adding a little age to a whiskey once the initial, easy to extract wood flavors are gone from the barrel (like I said, any bottle of bourbon will have already gotten these from its original barrel.)

Whatever you choose to do, good luck!

[p_elliott]

If it were me, I'd pick up some cheapish, youngish, high proof bourbon and pour that in. WT101 would probably be my choice. }

How did you descibe my Wild Turkey? Here I thought we were friends !:slappin:

[HighInTheMtns]

LOL!

I take it all back. Fill that barrel with Old Crow! :slappin:

[tmckenzie]

I like makers white better than the aged. Drink it and throw the barrel away. Now the comment about if he put it in the barrel he would have micro distiller whiskey, nope, very few micros have white dog that good, if they did, there whiskey would taste better.