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About how long is a port, sherry, etc finish?

Unread postPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 12:08 pm
by classyndry
I received a spirits aging barrel as present a while back. I tried some rum finished scotch recently, and since I had a bunch of rum on hand, I decided I'd try to put a rum finish on a scotch myself. I already have some rum aging in the barrel. Since its a small volume barrel with a lot more surface area than that much rum/scotch would normally see, I'm planning on pulling the rum out in about a month, which would give the rum enough time to seep into the wood and add to the scotch finish. Then I want to put some scotch in, but I don't know how long to shoot for. Right now I'm thinking about starting with something fairly basic, but I've also considered using something a little more intense in flavor. So maybe a Macallan 12 to try to fully taste the rum finish, or maybe like a laphroaig to temper the rum finish with some smoke. What would you guys do? Any idea how long a port, sherry, or rum finish generally takes? I can taste the scotch to evaluate its progress, but since its low volume, each sample means less finished product and more air in the barrel.

Thanks for the advice!

Re: About how long is a port, sherry, etc finish?

Unread postPosted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 3:38 pm
by Mike
Sorry you have received any replies, but for the most part we on BE don't know enough to give much advice. Somewhere in the back of my mind is the notion that Scotch is finished in Sherry or Port Casks for around a year? I think what you are doing sounds very interesting. I enjoy vatting bourbons and aiming for something a bit different. I have added cognac to bourbon before but the ultra aged bourbons tend to be slightly like cognac. I have never considered adding an excellent quality rum to bourbon or to scotch, but why not.

I would say take maybe 30 ml of Macallen or Aberlour and add a few drops of rum and play around with that and see what you think. I will do the same, since I have a very good sipping rum and several good Scotch whiskies (most are cask strength, however), but I can try it with a couple of Johnny Walker blends........... which I find to be very good Scotch.

There are not many Scotch drinkers (at least those who acknowledge being such) here, but I applaud what you are doing. Let us know how it turns out. If my results are of any interest, I will follow up.

Re: About how long is a port, sherry, etc finish?

Unread postPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 3:13 pm
by classyndry
I'd not considered simply blending the rum and scotch to get a preview of how it could come out. Great advice!

Also, thanks for the heads up. I'm primarily a bourbon guy, but I also love scotch and rum.

Re: About how long is a port, sherry, etc finish?

Unread postPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 8:14 pm
by Mike
I tried some sipping rum (Anniversairo), about 5 ml, with about 50 ml of Aberlour 15 YO (80 proof) and it made for an interesting concoction. It definitely sweetened the Aberlour and seemed to confuse it at first. I could probably grow to like this.

Re: About how long is a port, sherry, etc finish?

Unread postPosted: Tue May 17, 2011 2:30 am
by Bas.nl
Scotch finishes take from 2-3 months to 6 months . That is usually enough to give your liqour the taste you want.
Some are matured in that specifik barrel for the whole time and not just finished in it.