OrneryGringo OP t1_iujr303 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 9:17 PM

Reply to comment by thelastdarkwingduck in Eli5: how is it possible that a wooden barrel, which is used for aging alcohol, does not rot away. by OrneryGringo

Okay, this is very interesting actually, thank you for this distraction! But Im wondering now. Recently I was in a small whiskey shop looking for a specific whiskey and the owner told me that whiskeys from time to time get "washed" by letting it flow trought oak shivers or coal or whatever after the aging proces. Does this have a purpose in regards to the re-purposed barrels you descripe?

thelastdarkwingduck t1_iujvwd8 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 9:52 PM

It very well could! That’s a little beyond my knowledge level, I did some googling because I like the topic but couldn’t tell you. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was some method to get rid of sediment after aging, it’s a very different grade but I’ve had aged cinnamon and rose petal mead and I bet coal filtration would have made that a much better experience.