Hickory Stiks

Description

Hickory Stiks. Used to age spirits or beers mimicking barrel aging for small batches and for a shorter time for large batches. Ave size of block is 100mm X 3mm X 15mm and ave weight is 6 to 8 grams before toasting.

Small batch long aging 4 to 6 grams per liter or too taste for 3 to 4 months

Small batch short aging 20 to 30 grams per liter for 7 to 14 days, check daily for flavour profile development and stop aging when flavour profile is met. This a a personal taste/ palate decision, some prefer more or less oak or toasted smoke flavour.

Hickory character profile:

• Light woodsy character, light hay-like aroma, slight honey-sweetness. Phenols not muted, slight tannic astringency, alcohol softened.

Which toast?

Light toast: light woody aromas, light hay aroma, slight honey sweetness

Medium toast: Vanillas with toasty wood flavours and alcohol softened, takes edge of new spirit “bite”

Dark toast: For dominate vanillas and spicy wood aromas, alcohol softened