ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME

Abstract

The present invention is an alcoholic beverage having the sensory characteristics of a traditionally aged, distilled spirit. The method for making the alcoholic beverage includes introducing a ratio of wood chips to a distilled spirit and applying pressure to create interaction between the wood chips and distilled spirit.

Claims

1. A method for imparting the sensory characteristics of a more matured alcoholic beverage to an alcoholic beverage, the steps being comprised of: introducing an alcoholic beverage to a container; sealing the container such that the container is a closed system with a fixed mass of gas; heating the container until an internal pressure of the container reaches a predetermined maximum pressure of 20 psi; cooling the container until the internal pressure reaches a predetermined lower pressure; and cycling the heating step and the cooling step from 2 to 10 times, wherein the container is sealed for a duration of the step of cycling the heating step and the cooling step, and wherein the method has a total process time of less than a day.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising cycling the heating step and the cooling step for a total of 10 times.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising cycling the heating step and the cooling step for a total of 2 to 6 times.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: adding wood chips to the container prior to sealing the container, wherein all of the wood chips are mixed with the alcoholic beverage.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the wood chips are charred or toasted on at least one side and finished prior to introduction to the container.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the wood chips are smoked prior to introduction to the container.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the wood chips are finished prior to introduction to the container.

8. The method according to claim 4, wherein the wood chips have a primary side (lengthwidth) dimension of about 1 to about 2 inches in length, about to about 1 inch in width, and a thickness of about to about inch.

9. The method according to claim 4, wherein the wood chips have an open grain surface area of about 20% or more.

10. A method for imparting the sensory characteristics of a more matured alcoholic beverage to an alcoholic beverage, the steps being comprised of: introducing an alcoholic beverage to a container; sealing the container such that the container is a closed system with a fixed mass of gas; heating the container until an internal pressure of the container reaches a predetermined maximum pressure; cooling the container until the internal pressure reaches a predetermined lower pressure; and cycling the heating step and the cooling step from 2 to 10 times, wherein the container is sealed for a duration of the step of cycling the heating step and the cooling step, wherein wood chips are not introduced to the container in the method and wherein the method has a total process time of less than a day.

11. A finished alcoholic beverage having the sensory characteristics of a more matured alcoholic beverage produced by the steps comprising: introducing an alcoholic beverage to a container; sealing the container such that the container is a closed system with a fixed mass of gas; heating the container until an internal pressure of the container reaches a predetermined maximum pressure; cooling the container until the internal pressure reaches a predetermined lower pressure; and cycling the heating step and the cooling step over a time period of less than a day, wherein the container is sealed for a duration of the step of cycling the heating step and the cooling step.

12. The finished alcoholic beverage according to claim 11, further comprising cycling the heating step and the cooling step for a total of 10 times.

13. The finished alcoholic beverage according to claim 11, further comprising cycling the heating step and the cooling step for a total of 2 to 6 times.

14. The finished alcoholic beverage according to claim 11, further comprising the step of: adding wood chips to the container prior to sealing the container, wherein all of the wood chips are mixed with the alcoholic beverage.

15. The finished alcoholic beverage according to claim 14, wherein the wood chips are charred or toasted on at least one side prior and finished prior to introduction to the container.

16. The finished alcoholic beverage according to claim 14, wherein the wood chips are smoked prior to introduction to the container.

17. The finished alcoholic beverage according to claim 14, wherein the wood chips are finished prior to introduction to the container.

18. The finished alcoholic beverage according to claim 14, wherein the wood chips have a primary side (lengthwidth) dimension of about 1 to about 2 inches in length, about to about 1 inch in width, and a thickness of about to about inch.

19. The finished alcoholic beverage according to claim 14, wherein the wood chips have an open grain surface area of about 20% or more.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein zero grams of wood chips are used in the method.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a method for rapidly aging a spirit.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a chart showing results of an experiment according to the present invention using a distilled spirit having 42% alcohol content at a pressure of 15 psi.

DESCRIPTION

[0016] Referring to the FIG. 1, the present invention includes a method for imparting the sensory characteristics of a traditionally aged, distilled spirit to a younger distilled spirit in a significantly shorter time period.

[0017] It should be noted that the features of the present method are directed to a particular consumer market. In particular, the features of the present method provide sensory characteristics in flavor, texture, color, smoothness, and ease of drinking in a distilled spirit that have been found to appeal to the generation currently identified as millennials, which generally includes individuals born between 1980 and 2000.

[0018] When this method was researched consumers aged 21 to 39 were researched in alignment with alcohol consumption laws. These sensory characteristics of the distilled spirit according to the present method may not be as palatable, as a whole, to traditional whiskey, bourbon, or other distilled spirit drinkers. However, the millennials are growing to be the most powerful consumers, and as such, the examples and surveys conducted with finished products according to the present method are primarily focused on millennials. And as is industry practice across fields, one needs to attract a younger demographic, that can legally use its products, as they are being introduced to a new category of goods and services.

[0019] The method begins by first obtaining wood chips. The wood chips may be from previously-used casks. However, the wood chips may also come from other sources so long as the wood is prepared as is generally known in the industry.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the wood chips have primary side (lengthwidth) dimensions of about 1 to about 2 inches in length, about to about 1 inch in width, and a thickness of about to about inch. Although the wood chips are discussed as being substantially rectangular in shape, it is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the wood chips will vary in shape and size and may not be uniform in dimensions.

[0021] The wood chips are introduced to a container, and a spirit is introduced to the wood chips in the container.

[0022] In addition to or as an alternative to the wood chips, nut shells can be used to mix with the spirits in the present method.

[0023] As set forth in the background, it is required and important to use new American oak as the wood for making bourbon. It is also known in the Scotch whisky industry that barrels become exhausted over time and lose their ability to impart flavor transformation to the whisky. In the present invention, the wood chips may be derived from the wood barrels that are considered no longer useful in making whiskey/whisky. In an exemplary embodiment, the wood is from barrels or other sources that have allowed the wood to be air dried for at least to years. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the wood is from barrels or other sources that have allowed the wood to be air dried for at least 100 years

[0024] The term spirit, used throughout, refers to a distilled beverage that has at least 5% alcohol by volume (ABV). The spirit herein can be a young or aged spirit, where an aged spirit needs to be in wood for at least three years according to some countries regulations, and a young spirit is defined as a new make spirit. The present method allows further processing and/or finishing of such young or aged spirit.

[0025] The spirit may be any of whiskey, scotch whisky, bourbon, vodka, gin, rum, brandy, eau de vie (fruit brandy or schnapps), tequila, baijiu, soju, aguardiente, pilinka, cachaca, singani, borovicka, slivovitz, moonshine, raw or young spirit, or a combination thereof.

[0026] The ratio of wood chips to alcohol is a critical feature of the present invention. It has been found that with 750 mL (a standard bottle) of spirits having an amount of wood chips should be between 30 grams (g) and 120 g. The actual value of wood chips varies based on desired sensory characteristics of the resulting spirit. The percent alcohol is a critical feature of the present invention. It has been found that the percent alcohol of the spirit for the present invention is preferred to be about 40% to about 57%.

[0027] The container holding the mixture of wood chips and spirits is sealed and heated until the measured pressure of the inside of the sealed container increased to a minimum of 5 psi and not to be greater than about 50 psi. It is critical that the pressure not exceed 50 psi as non-desirable sensory characteristics of the wood chips may be drawn out into the resulting spirit.

[0028] Experimentation has shown that the increased pressure within the container forces the spirit molecules into the wood chips, thus ensuring the spirit interact with more than just the surface of the wood chips. As the pressure is decreased, the spirit moves back out of the wood chips, causing an interaction where some of the inner parts of the wood may be introduced to the spirit and some parts may interact with the spirit to create new compounds.

[0029] It is most preferred that the pressure be between about 10 psi and about 20 psi. It is noted that this lower pressure runs contrary to the prior art and what those of ordinary skill in the art argue the pressure should be. However, it has been found that this lower pressure keeps the resulting alcohol from being contaminated with the undesirable features of the wood chips that is extracted at a higher pressure thereby imparting the less desired sensory characteristics to the distilled spirits for the consumers of interest.

[0030] The container is then removed from the heat and allowed to cool to substantially room temperature and the pressure within the inside of the container is reduced to a predetermined low pressure.

[0031] Heating the container with the mixture of wood chips and spirit to about 5 psi to 20 psi atmosphere, followed by allowing the container temperature to cool and reach standard pressure is considered as a single cycle of aging.

[0032] As the maximum amount of pressure is reached within the container, the pressure is preferably then lowered to reach standard pressure. In other words, the contents of the container are not held at the maximum pressure for a long period, less than about 24 hours based on sensory characteristics desired, of time. However, it is preferred that once the maximum pressure is reached, it is reduced. The actual time for each cycle will vary based on the amount of spirit, wood, maximum pressure, the desired taste character, production efficiency and the like.

[0033] The mixture of spirit and wood chips go through 1 or more cycles of aging, the actual number of cycles varied based on desired sensory characteristics of the resulting rapidly aged spirit. The cycles are required to have the spirit and the wood chips interact to provide the desired sensory characteristics of the resulting distilled spirit for a millennial consumer.

[0034] A more preferred number of cycles is 2-5 per resulting distilled spirit.

[0035] After the desired number of cycles of aging is conducted, the resulting spirit is filtered to separate it from the wood chips and other particulate matter. The rapidly-aged spirit may then be stored or consumed.

[0036] It has been surprisingly found that charring the wood chips on at least one of the two primary sides, or the whole chip, increases process according to the present invention. This means that charring the wood chips on at least one side before mixing with the spirit and undergoing one or more cycles imparts a greater amount of color and flavor from the wood chips to the spirit in fewer cycles. Or said another way, the charring of the wood changes the different sensory characteristics imparted to the spirit.

[0037] In another embodiment, the wood chips are toasted in addition or as an alternative to charring the wood chips. Like with charring, toasting the wood changes the different sensory characteristics imparted to the spirit.

[0038] Alternatively, or in conjunction to charring the wood chips, the wood chips may be smoked prior to introduction to container and being mixed with the spirits. As is classically done, the entire chips can also be charred or toasted.

[0039] As known in the industry, particular wood barrels impart different sensory characteristics to the held spirit. For example, scotch whiskey is finished in sherry oak casks. So, in yet another variation of the present invention, the wood chips are prepped by the procedure known in the industry as finishing.

[0040] The actual number of cycles of aging for the spirit to undergo will vary based in part on the ratio of wood chips to spirits, the wood chips charred condition, the type of wood chips, the type of spirit. FIG. 2 shows the results of experimentation using 3 year aged scotch whisky, the minimum age to be legitimately considered as a scotch whisky, and sherry oak cask wood chips charred on a single size. The scotch whisky had a 42% alcohol content and the contents were taken to a pressure of 15 psi. Those cells of the matrix marked with an X were found to achieve the desired sensory characteristics, of a whiskey from Scotland that has been aged longer.

Embodiment 1

[0041] A distilled spirit, a whisky, according to the present invention was prepared with the following dimensions: [0042] Amount of wood chips 30 g [0043] Amount of spirit 750 mL [0044] Percent of alcohol in spirit 42% [0045] Maximum pressure per cycle 15 psi [0046] Number of cycles 4

[0047] The resulting distilled spirit was also 42% alcohol. It was tested in a paired comparison blind test against one of the top two selling super-premium, 18 year whiskeys based on US and International Sales. It was tested with a random sample of 21 to 39 year old Americans. For purchase intent, the present invention in Embodiment 1 was preferred versus the super-premium whisky 71% to 29%.

Embodiment 2

[0048] A distilled spirit, a whisky, according to the present invention was prepared with the following dimensions: [0049] Amount of wood chips 120 g [0050] Amount of spirit 750 mL [0051] Percent of alcohol in spirit 42% [0052] Maximum pressure per cycle 15 psi [0053] Number of cycles 4

[0054] The resulting distilled spirit was also 42% alcohol. It was tested in a paired comparison blind test against Embodiment 1, with a random sampling of 21 to 39 year old Americans. For purchase intention, Embodiment 2 lost to Embodiment 1 by 43% to 57%. In the same pairing, Embodiment 2 lost in consumers perception of smoothness and perception of easy to drink. These results helped support the upper limit of the ratio of wood chips to alcohol.

Embodiment 3

[0055] A distilled spirit, again a whisky, according to the present invention was prepared with the following dimensions: [0056] Amount of wood chips 30 g [0057] Amount of spirit 750 mL [0058] Percent of alcohol in spirit 57% [0059] Maximum pressure per cycle 15 psi [0060] Number of cycles 4

[0061] The resulting distilled spirit was also 57% alcohol. It was tested in a paired comparison blind test against Embodiment 1, with a random sampling of 21 to 39 year old Americans. For purchase intent, Embodiment 3 lost to Embodiment 1 by 34% to 66%. In the same pairing the present Embodiment 3 lost in consumers perception of smoothness and in perception of easy to drink. These results helped support the upper limit of the percent alcohol.

Embodiment 4

[0062] A distilled spirit, a whisky, according to the present invention was prepared with the following dimensions: [0063] Amount of wood chips 30 g [0064] Amount of spirit 750 mL [0065] Percent of alcohol in spirit 42% [0066] Maximum pressure per cycle 50 psi [0067] Number of cycles 4

[0068] The resulting distilled spirit was also 42% alcohol. It was tested in a paired comparison blind test against Embodiment 1, with a random sampling of 21 to 39 year old Americans. For purchase intent, Embodiment 4 lost to Embodiment 1 by 37% to 63%. In the same pairing the present Embodiment 4 lost in consumers perception of smoothness and in perception of easy to drink. These results helped support the upper limit of the maximum pressure per cycle.

Embodiment 5

[0069] A distilled spirit, a whisky, according to the present invention was prepared with the following dimensions: [0070] Amount of wood chips 30 g [0071] Amount of spirit 750 mL [0072] Percent of alcohol in spirit 42% [0073] Maximum pressure per cycle 15 psi [0074] Number of cycles 4

[0075] And the wood chips were sourced from wood that had been air dried for at least 100 years. The resulting distilled spirit was also 42% alcohol. It was tested in a paired comparison blind test against one of the top selling super-premium bourbons. It was tested with a random sample of 21 to 39 year old Americans. For purchase intent, the present invention in Embodiment 5 was preferred versus the super-premium bourbon 66% to 34%.

[0076] While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0077] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.