Can I age whiskey at home?
Table of Contents
There are two ways to age whiskey at home. The most traditional method of DIY whiskey aging is to purchase or build a charred white oak barrel. To prep a barrel to be used for aging, make sure to first fill it with warm water and leave it sit until the wood swells enough to prevent leaking between the staves.
Can you age whiskey for 20 years?
“Sometimes older is better—but sometimes it’s just older.” Old whiskies might cost a pretty penny, but for the flavor, Pickerell recommends choosing a more middle-aged whisky – 6 to 10 years for bourbon, and about 20 years for scotch.
Does aging cheap whiskey make it better?
Unlike wines, distilled spirits do not improve with age once they are in the bottle. As long as they are not opened, your whiskey, brandy, rum, and the like will not change and they will certainly not mature further while they wait on the shelf.

Can you age whiskey in a bottle?
Home Aging After being removed from the cask and bottled, whisky keeps its flavor until the bottle is opened and or trapped oxygen slowly changes its contents. But it doesn’t have to end there. Whisky can be aged at home by exposing it to more wood! This is easily done by inserting wood right into the bottle.
Can you artificially aged whiskey?

Cleveland Whiskey uses a special method applying pressure within a steel tank to infuse its six month old whiskey with flavor. Another pioneer in the rapid-aging game is Bryan Davis, founder of the Lost Spirits Distillery. These aren’t the only companies releasing artificially-aged whiskeys.
Is aged whiskey really aged?
Whiskey doesn’t age in the bottle. In fact, it’s quite inert. Assuming it’s properly stored, whiskey won’t change much itself in the bottle. What change it does see has to do with oxygen exposure, light exposure, and temperature fluctuations—and all of these things are generally bad for it.
Can you age cheap whiskey?
Probably the most affordable option to play around with for aging whiskey at home is by using wood chips and staves. There is a variety of types available from different producers. For instance, you could just add American white oak sticks or shavings to a jar with whiskey.
Do aging staves work?
Do Aging Staves Work? Aging staves will work to further flavor whiskey with varying results. You’ll need to adjust and experiment to get the flavor you’re looking for. While you won’t turn a cheap bottle of whiskey into a $10,000 one, you can create a more rich, flavor experience.