Homemade Bourbon Flavourings

TomBomBom

Hi fellas!
I'm quite new to grain distillates. I've always made spirits out of sugar. In November 2021 I've distilled corn bourbon, added few bits and bobs and left it for almost a year. I was amazed how it worked out. Unfortunately I didn't keep the recipe and I don't really want to do the same mistake this time. I wish I could keep flavours and aromas at consistent levels.
Have you tried making your own bourbon flavourings to develop the best flavour mix and make it consistent for each batch? I've made 3,5L of 100 proof corn sour mash distillate (4th batch in a row) and divided into 4 parts:
Part 1 - 300ml + 15g of medium american oak chips
Part 2 - 300ml + 15g of cherry wood chips
Part 3 - 300ml + 15g of cocoa nibs
I'm gonna leave it for a month to create really strong essence. Later on I'll take few 100ml samples of non-aged distillate and add essences in various amounts. At the end I'll add a bit of maple or agave syrup. All notes will be kept safe so I can reconstruct best recipe in the future.
Have anyone tried it before? Does it make any sense?.

8Ball

Sure, most of it makes sense. Its the calling it bourbon part that doesn’t to me.

Steve-Broady

I agree, it’s not bourbon. But with that said, what you’re talking about isn’t entirely different from what happens when commercial spirits are blended. Some barrels are stronger if weaker in one area, so the distiller blends them as needed to achieve consistent results. You could do that same thing with some actual bourbon if you wanted to.
It’s not a terrible idea. For me, though, I appreciate the variation that comes from a small batch hand crafted product, knowing that I’ll never again have this exact thing. Enjoy it while it lasts. It is ephemeral. It is a spirit, after all.Steve, you’re way behind time. This is not 38, but it’s old 97. You must put her into Spencer on time.

jonnys_spirit

Most barrel aged spirits are "blended" from multiple barrels - I don't believe the labeling of a spirit as "Single Barrel" is regulated so I'm hesitant to believe it. I also blend at least some of all batches in my cellar - going into the barrel and coming out of it... Just depends what I've got but the solera'd spirits invariably are the best to me

chunlx55myb.gif

Cheers!
-j————
i make stuff i break stuff
water into whiskey into water
just getting started in home distilling - been drinking for decades
16g copper pot still, 10l alembic, and a column or two
————

Saltbush-Bill

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Works for me too.