Mellowing with Age

By Warren Rojas

Photograph by Hana Jung

What DO you get the man who already has everything?

Oh right, the chance to play god with a barrel of pure alcohol.

Though Christmas is months away, we’re recommending you pounce on Wasmund’s barrel kits—home-aging sets that include your choice of raw spirit (rye or whiskey) and pre-charred oak barrels (available in 2- to 20-liter denominations)—now.

Distiller Rick Wasmund recommends aging each batch for at least six months (a 19-month-old version had a toffee-burnt sugar nose, delivered a hickory-honey finish) but hopes folks have fun with the process.

Wasmund’s barrel kits ($99 and up) are available at select VA Alcoholic Beverage Control stores or Copper Fox Distillery (9 River Lane, Sperryville; 540-987-5554).

(August 2010)