Sour mash whisky uses the same recipe but uses spent or leftovers from a previous batch to start the process. The mash is the ground grain and water mixture, fermented with yeast to produce alcohol. Whiskey is a dark distilled spirit that is made from a variety of grains, including barley, corn, rye, and wheat. This is also referred to as the sweet run and will not produce sour mash just yet. Sour mash. Collect 1 gallon of this basket from this distillation process. In truth its surprising that the phrase ever made it onto the bottle as the process refers to nothing other than the manipulation of pH to prevent bacterial growth. So, what exactly is sour mash, and what does it have to do with making bourbon? We highly recommend starting with Jack Daniels finest single barrel select as an introduction to sour mash spirits and the delightful sour mash process. You will start to see fermentation of sugar within 12 hours. The sour mash technique is a particular approach to fermentation that dates to early scientific breakthroughs in whiskey making during the 19th century. 1 tbsp yeast (distillers yeast if you can find). sour mash: [noun] grain mash for brewing or distilling whose initial acidity has been adjusted to optimum condition for yeast fermentation by mash from a previous run. Whiskey Review: Michter's US*1 Toasted Barrel Sour Mash Whiskey By adding sugar, the fermentation process will be easier. This term refers to the manufacturing process of this beverage. Pinterest. But what does sour mash mean, exactly? Sour mash whiskey is a common phrase among American bottle labels. The citrus and floral flavors jump around as the sweet, honeyed vanilla and caramel combine, creating a delightful experience. While the Sour Mash moniker originated from the whiskey production process of the same name whereby some previously fermented mash is used as the starter for the new mash to be fermented, much like making sourdough bread Michters Original Sour Mash earned distinction for its unique taste. Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Old Fashioned Sour Mash Bourbon Whiskey, What Bourbon Does John Wick Drink? This is a robust and flavorful drink with notes of spice and caramel. Let it stand 5 days, that is 3 full days betwist the day you mash and the day you cool off on the fifth day put in 3 gallons of warm water then one gallon of rye meal and one gallon of malt. The leftover slop could be used for feeding her livestock. Nine years later, they released Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Old Fashioned Sour Mash Bourbon Whiskey. Why We Like It: This Shenks Homestead Kentucky sour mash whiskey pays homage to John Shenk, an American whiskey personality. Get our best cocktail recipes, tips, and more when you sign up for our newsletter. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Learn everything you need to know about moonshining with simple step-by-step instructions. The mixture of flavors, including candied cherries, bread, and spice, lingers for a long time. Last Updated on December 29, 2022 by Lydia Martin. Put simply, the term "sour mash" refers to a method of making whiskey that puts some of the "old mash" into each new batch. The sour mash process also helps maintain a constant tasting profile for every batch of releases. Why We Like It: Jack Daniels single barrel select is made from the finest single barrel, bottled in a small batch at 94 proof. This distillery uses a two step distillation process. Top 15 Sour Mash Whiskeys To Try 15. Why We Like It: This Tennessee whiskey [1] is made with a mixture of different ingredients with a smooth-sipping character. Sour mash whiskeys combine the spent mash from a previous batch and a new mash to control the growth of bacteria that can alter the taste of the liquor. Its aroma is filled with hints of smoky fruit and nuts, with berries and oak in the background. The vibrant and rich flavors are intense and balanced. Our writers are some of the most respected in the industry, and our recipes are contributed by bartenders who form a veritable "Who's Who" of the cocktail world. The pH levels need to be carefully controlled to create the optimal fermentation of the mash. Bar Hopping Oh Taste & See: Henry McKenna Sour Mash Straight Bourbon Whiskey Fact: Henry McKenna is not a top shelf bourbon. First, youll need to mill the grains to create a coarse powder or meal to prepare for mashing. Lets break down the measurements above into modern terms: The distillers at Brown-Forman are planning to release a small-batch whisky in 2026 based on Catherine Carpenters unique sour mash recipe. However, there are individual bottlings from well-known distilleries, such as the Woodford Reserve 1838, which were made using Sweet Mash and thus offer a taste insight into the science behind whiskey. What Is Sour Mash Whiskey? (2023 Updated) - Liquor Laboratory But in the past, bakers and brewers would have had to keep strains alive by maintaining sourdough starters. Most recipes call for bourbon, but rye and even Canadian whiskies also create a fine drink. Alcohol connoisseurs have a sensitive palate where they notice the liquors slightest flavor change. ABV: 45%. Still, it contains nutrients and the acid required to keep the next batch of mash healthy pH levels. The sour mash technique is a particular approach to fermentation that dates to early scientific breakthroughs in whiskey making during the 19th century. So, before we explore how the sour mash process influenced bourbon whiskey in the 19th century, it makes sense to explore a brief recap of brewing history. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. To make whiskey, the distiller must produce a type of beer. Whats the Difference Between Sour Mash & Bourbon? Old Elk Sour Mash Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 3. "Sour mash" refers to a fermentation method that originated in the earliest days of whiskey making on the American frontier. Whether youre throwing a huge house party or a laidback social gathering, people will want to have a drink or two. Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Old Fashioned Sour Mash Bib Bourbon, 3. Much like using sourdough starter for making sourdough bread, using old mash helps to kick start the fermentation process for making bourbon. Product labels can offer you a lot of information on the manufacturing and ingredients that alcoholic beverages contain. For example, many whiskeys are blended, in which case the mash bill describes the sum of the grain percentages in any batch of whiskey. I like that sour mash taste. And he arguably crafted the first brand name by branding his Old Crow whiskey name onto the staves of barrels that were distributed to bars and retailers. Grain and Accessories For Making Moonshine. George Dickel Recipe No. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. US 1 Sour Mash - Michter's American Whiskeys Distilled to Master Distiller Dan McKees exacting specifications, no US1 whiskey is ever released until Dan and the Michters tasting panel deems it ready. Lactobacillus is often the key to sour beers, and can be added directly, encouraged through particular brewers or distillers yeast, or introduced through wooden washbacks, mash tuns, fermenters or other vessels during the fermentation phase. The word alcohol actually derives from the Arabic al-kuhl.. Step 4 - Cover the fermenter and allow to ferment 3 - 4 days or until the ebullation ends. Our FREE e-book details how to make your first mash, ferment successfully and even includes three easy to make moonshine recipes! Since its made in Australia, Tiger Snake has to stick with the name of its namesake whiskey, the Sour Mash. Step 5 - To start with a 25% basket you will need to collect 1 gallon of basket. The Whiskey Smash made its recipe-book debut in the 1887 edition of The Bartenders Guide by Jerry Thomas, though variations of this fruit-and-whiskey concoction were likely made for decades prior to this inclusion. "Sour mash" is a term you hear and see a lot when dealing with whiskey. So lets start at the beginning. As it happens with a lot of marketing, sour mash is not unique to Jack Daniel's. Nearly all bourbon is produced this way. It introduces some spent mash into the new mash with a 1:3 or 1:4 ratio. The sour mix is generally comprised of two parts water, one part lemon juice, and one part white sugar. Distillers dont add strong acids like pool acid to their mixtures. Make cuts like normal and collect the tails down to 10 proof or 20% ABV. In Scotland, the use of backset is especially prominent at single malt distilleries, where wash is required to be made using a mash bill or a mixture of grains of 100 percent malted barley. Sour mash Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster What Is Sour Mash And Why Is It Important For Making Bourbon. Her work has appeared in Whisky Advocate, Food and Wine, Spirited Magazine, Artisan Spirit, Edible Seattle, Sip Northwest, Civil Eats, Travel Oregon, Artisan Spirit, and many other publications. The distillates first part (called the head) is discarded because it is unsafe for human consumption, and so is the last part, or tail. Here are the steps for this process; Step 1 - Add 7 pounds of granulated sugar to your collected 1 gallons of basket from the previous distillation. Whiskipedia | Sour Mash Lactobacillus bacteria are responsible for helping you turn milk into yogurt; the bacteria also helps us make cheese and sourdough bread. Sour mash whiskey is produced by distillers when producers use a part of the previous batchs spent mash in the next batchs fermentation. Sour mash whiskey doesnt taste sour, either. Its high rye mash bill, mixed with the corn and malted barley, was distilled using the distillerys single historic recipe and proprietary yeast strains. The by-product produced by the yeast is alcohol. Sweet mash whisky offers a slightly sweeter taste. After distillation, it undergoes Lincoln County Process, setting it apart from a sour mash bourbon. Here are the steps for the first fermentation process: Step 1 - Add all ingredients in the order listed above. In fact, many whiskey drinkers present company included first read this term on the label of this ubiquitous brand. The whiskey inside undergoes a dramatic change, and its flavor and aroma are developed. Some pictures here show the historical moment when Brown-Forman staff came together and revived Catherines recipe. Kings Creek 9yr Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey, 2. Mash Bill Bourbon and Whiskey Ingredient Guide, Definitive Guide to the Different Types of Whiskey, Copyright 2022 Gentlemen Ranters | All Rights Reserved. These improvements not only helped the resulting Old Crow whiskey to be one of the nations first recognized brand names and the leading whiskey in terms of sales for over a century. For example, during the Medieval period, brewers and distillers often attributed magic or divine intervention to some biochemical processes. However, the use of spent wash called dunder already started in Jamaica for rum production in the 1700s. Average Price: around $52.99 /750ml (MSRP). In addition, he paved the way in using a hydrometer to check the alcohol content of the spirits collected from the still and used the recently invented Coffey still to collect that distillate at a constant, controlled proof. Selling home-branded alcohol brought a dreamy amount of sales for Costco topping $5 billion in 2020. Techniques similar to the sour mash technique are also used at many Jamaican rum distilleries, only there, distillers age their backset anaerobically (sometimes seeded with organic matter like fruit) before adding it to their mashes.
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