Adjusting for low alcohol rate?

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Adjusting for low alcohol rate?

Postby nudder12 » Fri Dec 20, 2019 9:54 pm

Hi.
I've found myself dabbling with lower alcohol content drinks.
So when adding essences I've mixed in the normal amount, but I find the result then lacks that "zip" or "bite" to the taste. Obviously because of the lower alcohol content, but I wonder if anyone has any suggestions of something that could be added to get that zing/bite?
I figure if Jack Daniels, Jim Beam etc etc can produce a reasonable tasting lower alcohol version of their RTD's, then it should be possible for us to as well.
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Re: Adjusting for low alcohol rate?

Postby Doubleuj » Fri Dec 20, 2019 10:45 pm

Yeah, they just keep the heads, that’s what gives you the “bite”, and the hangover
A good spirit shouldn’t have that bite. It should be smooth
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Re: Adjusting for low alcohol rate?

Postby nudder12 » Fri Dec 20, 2019 11:12 pm

Doubleuj wrote:Yeah, they just keep the heads, that’s what gives you the “bite”, and the hangover
A good spirit shouldn’t have that bite. It should be smooth

OK, I guess that might explain it.
So I could use the heads for similar effect, but keen to avoid the hangover effect :-D any ideas of some essence/product that would add that bite instead?
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Re: Adjusting for low alcohol rate?

Postby Doubleuj » Sat Dec 21, 2019 6:18 am

I wasn’t saying that you should use heads, please don’t use heads.
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Re: Adjusting for low alcohol rate?

Postby Sam. » Sat Dec 21, 2019 9:41 am

You could try aging with oak shavings like wine to get heaps of tannin? Not sure how it would go but just a thought.

But yeah I’m with Uj, product should be smooth, I would never bother trying to replicate the mass produced arse piss :puke-huge:
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Re: Adjusting for low alcohol rate?

Postby Georgio » Sat Dec 21, 2019 6:47 pm

Depending on what ur making.....I find adding Rye adds bite. Have you tried something like Corn Flakes Whiskey and add Rye Flour to it. Make good cuts (No heads) and you will still get some bite from the rye .
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Re: Adjusting for low alcohol rate?

Postby nudder12 » Sat Dec 21, 2019 9:40 pm

Thanks.
I'll definitely pass on using heads.
Cornflake whisky is to run through a pot still, yeah? So that counts me out.
But trying some oak chips sounds like something worth a try. I'll do a trial with that and see how it goes.
Thanks for all the responses.
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Re: Adjusting for low alcohol rate?

Postby wynnum1 » Sat Dec 21, 2019 9:50 pm

What about something with chilli .
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Re: Adjusting for low alcohol rate?

Postby db1979 » Sun Dec 22, 2019 6:55 am

If you use oak chips as suggested you will gets lots of tannins added quickly and it will get a bite to it, perhaps too much. You could look into aeration to help reduce the amount of bite as air oxidises the tannins and makes them less bitter.
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Re: Adjusting for low alcohol rate?

Postby woodduck » Sun Dec 22, 2019 7:40 am

Drink it straight. That will help you get that "bite".
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