Description
ssencia Single Malt Whisky Barrel Chunks 500g come from genuine, freshly emptied Pōkeno single malt whisky barrels. These whisky-soaked oak chunks offer a fast way to add authentic barrel character to homemade spirits.
The original barrels aged whisky for approximately 4–10 years. Unlike dry oak chips, these chunks retain the charred barrel interior and whisky-soaked wood. As a result, they release rich whisky flavour, colour and oak character into your spirit.
You can use these barrel chunks with neutral spirit, vodka, pot-distilled whisky, bourbon-style spirits, rum and even beer. Furthermore, three separate soakings allow you to extract different levels of flavour, colour and oak.
First Soaking
Add 2.5 litres of alcohol to 500g of Essencia Single Malt Whisky Barrel Chunks.
Cover and soak for up to 7 days. Begin testing daily after 4 days. Once you achieve your preferred flavour, drain and filter the spirit.
Character: High flavour, dark colour and low oak.
Use for: Drinking or blending.
Second Soaking
Add another 2.3 litres of alcohol to the used barrel chunks.
Cover and soak for up to 19 days. Begin testing daily after 10 days. Then drain and filter when you achieve your preferred flavour.
Character: Medium flavour, medium colour and medium oak.
Use for: Drinking or blending.
Third Soaking
Add another 2.3 litres of alcohol to the same barrel chunks.
Cover and soak for approximately 5–6 weeks. This final soaking produces a lighter whisky flavour with a stronger oak character.
Character: Low flavour, light colour and heavy oak.
Use for: Blending or combining with a suitable spirit flavouring.
Draining
Place the barrel chunks in a fine straining bag before soaking. This makes draining easier and reduces the amount of sediment in your spirit.
After draining, allow the sediment to settle for a few hours. This also helps prevent the filter from clogging.
Filtering
Use coffee filter paper in a funnel. Alternatively, place two cotton wool balls into the neck of a large funnel.
Allow the spirit to drip slowly through the filter. For clearer results, avoid disturbing any sediment during this process.
Testing
Soaking times are a guide, as everyone has different tastes. Therefore, test your spirit regularly during the first two soakings.
Use a syringe to draw approximately 15ml without disturbing the sediment. Taste each sample to monitor changes in flavour, colour and oak character.
Once you achieve your preferred result, stop soaking and drain the spirit.
Blending
Each soaking produces a different balance of whisky flavour, colour and oak character. Consequently, you can combine the results to create your own unique blend.
Use a syringe, measuring glass and notepad to experiment with different proportions. Record your favourite combinations so you can recreate them later.
Net Weight: 500g
Explore our range of Oak Chips and Chunks for more ways to add oak character to your homemade spirits.
