How do distilleries work?
How do distilleries work? Every distillery has their own unique processes when it comes to producing the perfect spirit. Delve into the fascinating world of distilling, starting with a look at which grains are used and how they are processed in order to create the delicious beverages you love. Get the lowdown on fermentation, distillation, and more in this guide to distilling!
Selecting Grains for the Best Flavor.
Selecting the best grains for distilling involves looking at how different grains will impact the flavor of the spirits. Rye and corn are two widely used grains that each bring a unique taste to the finished product, but wheat and barley are also common choices. We tried lots of different combinations to arrive at the unique flavor of Blackfish Bourbon.
Preparing and Mashing Grains to Extract Sugars.
In order to extract the sugars from the grains for the yeast to turn into alcohol, they first must go through a mashing stage. Mash consists of mixing ground up grain with water and then heating it for an extended period of time. This method helps to break down starches in the grain into usable sugar that is then fermented into alcohol. If you’ve brewed beer at home, you’re probably familiar with this process. Learn more about mashing here.
Aging Spirits for Unique Characteristics and Complexity.
Aging spirits after they’ve been distilled and bottled is an important part of the process. Aging helps to create unique characteristics and complexity in the spirit, as well as round out some of its flavors. The most common aging techniques involve using oak barrels to impart flavor and aroma compounds into the spirit as it ages. The length of time for aging depends on what type of flavor is desired, with longer aging periods creating deeper, fuller flavors.
