How to Choose the Right Base Spirit for Your First Batch
The Base Defines the Journey
Before your spirit can evolve, it needs a starting point — and that starting point is your base alcohol. Choosing the right one sets the tone for the entire aging process. Not every clear liquor behaves the same when it meets oak. Some soak up sweetness. Others highlight spice. And a few? They just explode with unexpected depth. This is where your DIY aging story begins, and the base you choose will shape every sip.
Vodka: The Blank Canvas
Vodka is the safest place to start — clean, neutral, and smooth. It doesn’t fight the oak, it listens to it. Add it to your Deer Jimmy’s® bottle and within days, you’ll start tasting subtle vanilla, caramel, even a hint of smoke depending on the barrel. It’s ideal for those who want to truly taste what the oak chips bring to the table without interference.
White Rum: Sweet, Fast and Full of Character
Rum has more personality from the start, even in its clear form. The sugarcane base tends to grab hold of tropical and toasted notes from the wood and amplify them. Aging white rum on bourbon or calvados oak can create bold, fast results — sometimes within a week. Expect a rich, slightly sweet profile with layers of fruit and spice.
Jenever or Genever: A Dutch Classic With a Twist
If you're feeling adventurous, go for genever. It already has some maltiness and character of its own, so when it ages on wood, things get deep — and fast. Especially when paired with whisky or brandy barrel chips, genever becomes something you’ve likely never tasted before. Earthy, warm, and old-world.
Tequila: Not Just for Shots
A clear blanco tequila responds beautifully to aging — especially on oak that’s previously held rum or brandy. The agave blends with soft oak tones to create something smooth and smoky, without losing that signature kick. Aged tequila in a Deer Jimmy’s® bottle might just surprise you more than any other spirit.
Pick One. Then Let It Become Something Else.
No matter what you choose, the real power lies in the transformation. Your base spirit won’t stay the same — and that’s the point. The wood will shape it, soften it, sharpen it. All you have to do is pick your foundation, pour it in, and watch the change begin.
