Why Clear Spirits Work Great for DIY Aging
Start Light to Taste Everything
When you begin aging your own spirit, it’s tempting to reach for something that already has flavor — a spiced rum, a barrel-aged gin, maybe even a liqueur. But here’s the truth: if you want to taste the wood, to really experience the impact of oak, the best base is a clear one. Vodka, young genever, blanco tequila or unaged rum give the oak space to shine. No competing flavors. No shortcuts. Just pure transformation.
Let the Oak Speak Louder
The oak chips inside your Deer Jimmy’s® bottle aren’t just decoration. They’ve lived a life already — aging whisky, rum, calvados, cognac, and more. When you add a clear spirit, those chips release everything they’ve absorbed. The vanilla from bourbon, the smoke from Islay, the apple from calvados — it all comes through clean and vivid. But that only happens if the base spirit doesn’t try to talk over it.
Neutral Isn’t Boring — It’s Bold
Clear spirits might look simple, but they’re bold in the best way. They act like a blank canvas — one that captures every brushstroke of oak, every whisper of toast, spice or fruit. And because they’re subtle, every little change is noticeable. One week makes a difference. So does the chip type, the temperature, the time. You don’t just get a result — you learn from it.
It’s the Best Way to Train Your Palate
If you’re new to DIY aging, starting with a clear base isn’t just easier — it’s smarter. You’ll develop a better feel for the process. You’ll start noticing flavors you never paid attention to before. And when you finally taste that aged result — smooth, rounded, golden — you’ll know exactly where it came from. The spirit didn’t do it. You did.
Clear Today, Complex Tomorrow
Aging is about change. It’s about patience, observation, and control. Starting with a clear spirit gives you the clearest path to understanding what aging really means. And once you’ve mastered that? You can start bending the rules, blending styles, and creating something that’s entirely yours.
