Just curious

[kickarum]

Hi all
In theory these 2 bottles of rum should be identical, same distill blended in the same pot, poured from the pot liter for liter back and forth so is the difference in the oak? All taken from the same box of off cuts, all toasted together in the same run and both bottles have a very similar 25 grams each bottle containing 3.6liters. Yet after only 24 hrs on oak a noticeable difference, is this common? Notice the oak sunk in the darker bottle.
Cheers Kicka.

[spit'n'shine]

This happens to me all the time mate, not sure how it affects the finished product yet because none of my gear has been aged long enough to drink yet :cry: but they have seemed to even out a bit after a few of months.

I've also seen the colour only darken in the top 1/4 of the odd jar, while the other 3/4 stays crystal clear! That seemed even stranger to me. :think:

[C2H6O]

Pretty cool.. I have only oaked for a brief amount of time too so i can only hazard a guess. Just because it came from the same box doesnt mean it came from the same tree or the same part of the tree. I'd say one piece is denser than the other and as such would act differently to both the toasting and soaking, so will prob just take a little longer for the ethanol to work its way through it.. So many variables... (sorry i've been sitting here doing biological statistics all morning ~x( ~x( )

[TheMechwarrior]

I have mine in 10L jars, the difference is even more noticeable. I've had a brown layer on the top and bottom and the middle third completely clear. You can see why aging takes so long.
The fix for me was to install a bubbler :handgestures-thumbupleft:

The bubbler has done wonders.

Cheers,

Mech.

[kickarum]

I have mine in 10L jars, the difference is even more noticeable. I've had a brown layer on the top and bottom and the middle third completely clear. You can see why aging takes so long.
The fix for me was to install a bubbler :handgestures-thumbupleft:

The bubbler has done wonders.

Cheers,

Mech.

Hey Mech
When you say bubbler I take it you're talking about? An aeration system? :wtf:

[TheMechwarrior]

Hey Mech
When you say bubbler I take it you're talking about? An aeration system?

Yes mate, just search the forums for aeration and you'll find a couple of threads.
Great improvement, at least it was for the Chardonnay brandy I made. It's now on a par with the Pinot.

[spit'n'shine]

Hey Mech
When you say bubbler I take it you're talking about? An aeration system?

Yes mate, just search the forums for aeration and you'll find a couple of threads.
Great improvement, at least it was for the Chardonnay brandy I made. It's now on a par with the Pinot.

Hey Mechwarrior, that's funny, I did a batch of Chardonnay brandy a few weeks ago. Its changing really quickly on oak. I couldn't even sniff the stuff off the still - it would burn my nose hairs! b-( Now its tasting really nice!

I'll have to check out the aeration system you speak of.. didn't have much luck with nuclear or distress ageing. :sad: I have come to the conclusion that time + minimal oak = :obscene-drinkingchug:

[Crazyk]

Does it matter if your oak floats?

I've got one that is stubborn and just floats

[Sam.]

Does it matter if your oak floats?

I've got one that is stubborn and just floats

It will sink eventually mate ;-)

[MacStill]

it wont matter too much even if it doesnt, as long as it's flavouring & colouring your spirit as desired it'll be just fine :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Crazyk]

Cool bananas

[Brendan]

I wouldn't worry about this at all. Some may take longer to absorb the alcohol and sink, but they will get there eventually. After a few months they will most likely look completely identical.

And as Mac said, they're ageing and they have oak contact, so life's good 8-)

[bt1]

Timber variation hey... you'll notice especially if using char and toasted sticks in combo char for early stronger colours and flavours the toasted for onging taste.

Char being more porous due to heat opening up grain sinking first.

If it zones out in colour bands just needs a gentle stir for a bit to even it out allowing timber to work on less flavour saturated spirit. All wood strips sink...eventually.

btw once your done with them they make great barbeque smoking sticks.

bt1

[Marbled]

I have never noticed that with mine.
Mind you, I swirl a couple of times a day and use brown glass demi-johns
8-}