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Producing a Rougher Spirit Meant for Longer Aging | Video Tip

Santa Fe Spirits master distiller Stephen Julander explains why they produce a somewhat rougher distillate whose compounds break down and transform over years in the barrel.

Stephen Julander Sep 13, 2024 - 2 min read

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As one of the more successful and longer-established craft distilleries in North America, Santa Fe Spirits has won numerous awards and ardent fans for terroir-focused products such as its Colkegan line of mesquite-smoked whiskeys. Since its founding in 2010, the distillery also has accumulated a sizeable barrel stock and considerable expertise in getting distinctive character from its barrels and blends.

In the full video course, Sante Fe master distiller Stephen Julander zooms in on barrel-aging to cover a range of topics, including:

  • the social importance of the wooden barrel
  • the anatomy of a barrel, and different types
  • crafting spirits meant for successful barrel-aging
  • planning for evolution of character and loss to the angel’s share
  • knowing the rules and regulations of whiskey and aging
  • barrel maintenance and tips on re-use
  • how different barrels impact color and character
  • the impact of seasonality, climate, time, and location
  • tightening barrels to ensure a seal
  • careful stacking and minimal movement
  • tasting the stock, blending, and bottling
  • Colkegan’s own mesquite-smoked character, and how that affects aging and blending

And much more.

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