New Zealand natives

[aliced]

I have been mucking around with some new zealand native trees for 'oaking'.

At the moment I have some 'extract of brewing maltexo' on some Rata. It has not been on the wood long and has a definite taste, very smoky and really rather quite refreshing.

I cut some pohutakawa the other day to try, but it has to season first.

We are coming into the season where all the natives start shedding berries,

I was wondering if anyone has ever used them in their brews?

[TBone]

Interesting questions mate...not that I can add anything. Far as I've gotten is using Manuka for smoking meat...but that's not really related!

[aliced]

I remember kiwistiller tried some stuff some time ago, but I never found any results.

So, for the hell of it, I might just give it a go meself :)

[TBone]

I can't guarantee...but I reckon if you contacted these guys they could probably talk about what native timber might be suitable for ageing spirits.

http://www.nelsoncooperage.co.nz/

[aliced]

Nice find. Cheers man.

The prices are a bit steep on the spirit barrels but.

[Kimbo]

Please be aware guys that some timbers contain poisons.
They may be great for smoking, but ageing high ABV alcohol in it can leach out the toxins.
Stay safe ;-)

[kiwikeg]

I have been meaning to reply to this thread but haven't. Search kauri on this forum and go to the she-oak thread for some info.
Also search nz-made on HD for a good thread.
I wasn't sure from the O.P. are we talking native timber or native berries here?

[aliced]

Awesome mate, I will have a read through and report.......

I was reading a little bit back about some dudes who stilled a whole bunch of goods here, some years back, one of the first distilleries I think, and, they fucked it all by using Kauri barrels, so that one was always off the list.......

[kiwikeg]

Awesome mate, I will have a read through and report.......

I was reading a little bit back about some dudes who stilled a whole bunch of goods here, some years back, one of the first distilleries I think, and, they fucked it all by using Kauri barrels, so that one was always off the list.......

Cool i have tried a few things since those posts, constant journey of discovery. Whats a real winner is Huhu grubs in your homemade tequila/mescal. If you find a good log drop them in some neutral til you can use them.

[Dyno]

Awesome mate, I will have a read through and report.......

I was reading a little bit back about some dudes who stilled a whole bunch of goods here, some years back, one of the first distilleries I think, and, they fucked it all by using Kauri barrels, so that one was always off the list.......

Cool i have tried a few things since those posts, constant journey of discovery. Whats a real winner is Huhu grubs in your homemade tequila/mescal. If you find a good log drop them in some neutral til you can use them.

Haha...eaten a few of those when I was a kid...ugggggghhhh...Dried possum's not too bad either, lightly smoked with a bit of Pohutakawa.. :laughing-rolling: ...poor mans biltong... :))

[kiwikeg]

Never thought of smoking bush monkeys, that's a really good idea, Im gonna give that a go. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[tuibillda]

tried some tea tree chips.no ones dead yet

[SBB]

Please be aware guys that some timbers contain poisons.
They may be great for smoking, but ageing high ABV alcohol in it can leach out the toxins.

Your spot on with that Kimbo, there are plenty of Aussie Eucalypts and hard woods that are perfect for smoking meats ,fish and other things ....but you wouldnt want them soaking in your hard won spirit.

tried some tea tree chips.no ones dead yet

Might not be dead yet, but how do you know your kidneys are not quietly disintegrating??.

[kiwikeg]

Another problem is the Aussie tea tree is a different species to the kiwi Type tea tree (Manuka).