While barrel aging used to only take place in the dark corners of craft distilleries, mixologists have begun to barrel age their own ingredients—even finished drinks—at cocktail bars across the country. Barrel aging can lend a deep, smoky-sweet undertone to both spirits and cocktails, rounding out the sharp edges of the alcohol.
We've taken the process out of the distillery and cocktail bar and into the home with our barrel aging staves. These pieces of bourbon barrel-grade oak have been drilled (to create maximum surface area) and charred, allowing you to rapidly age spirits right in the bottle—no barrel required.
Here, we barrel age gin for a unique take on the classic Old Fashioned cocktail.
Barrel-Aged Gin Old Fashioned
Makes two cocktails
- 4 shots barrel-aged gin
- 2 cubes cane sugar
- 10 dashes aromatic bitters
- 2 strips orange zest
- Add the cane sugar cubes and aromatic bitters to a mixing glass.
- Muddle the ingredients until the sugar has mostly dissolved.
- Add the Barrel-Aged Gin and orange zest.
- Add ice to just above the level of the liquid, and stir for 15 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into rocks glasses containing large cubes of ice, and garnish with remaining orange zest.
Barrel-Aged Gin
Makes 750 ml
- 750 ml bottle of gin
- 2 barrel aging staves
- Add two barrel aging staves to a 750 ml bottle of gin. Cap and set aside for 10 days.
- Strain the aged gin through cheesecloth and store in a cool dark place.