FIELD OF INVENTION

The present general inventive concept relates to a method and system for aging distilled spirits, and, more particularly, to a method and system for aging potable alcoholic spirits by transporting the spirits through different areas and altitudes.

BACKGROUND

Conventional aging methods and systems utilized in the aging of spirits range from the traditional methods wherein distilled spirits are warehoused in white oak barrels with a charred interior for periods typically measured in years to allow the spirits to reach maturity in an environment wherein the length of maturity is largely contingent upon climatic changes due to seasonal change, to more modern methods of which some are capable of aging spirits to maturity with the time duration measured in much shorter intervals such as weeks or even days.FIG. 1illustrates a typical traditional method of aging spirits, wherein a warehouse or other such storage facility100has a plurality of shelves104, racks, etc., on which barrels102of the spirits are simply placed to rest for a number of years. Some spirits may be thusly aged for periods of 4 years, 10 years, 13 years, and so on. The shortened modern methods mentioned above typically rely solely upon manmade mechanical devices and processes which directly alter variables such as temperature and pressure to move the distilled spirits in and out of oak char or similar media, rather than simply sitting for years, for calculated and predictable efficacy. Whether applying traditional or modern aging methods, the basic premise of aging spirits has always relied upon, and remains dependent upon, distilled spirits moving across a charred, cellulose medium such as white oak or other suitable wood. The primary and favorable results of using charred white oak are the removal of any remaining impurities from the distilled spirit, along with the added benefit of distinct and inviting alterations to the color and flavor of the spirit. Pure ethanol, by nature, is a clear liquid that is distilled from a variety of natural crops such as corn, grain, and barley. From all accounts, aging distilled spirits in charred white oak barrels for better and distinct taste was discovered by accident due to the need for a robust and cost-effective means to transport goods for consumption. Cooperages have produced barrels for centuries and offered the perfect vessel to not only store but also transport liquids and solid foods intended for human consumption, including distilled spirits. It was noted over time, due to the interest in increasing profit margins, that spirits stored in white oak barrels that had been repurposed by means of charring the interior for a cost effective approach to cleaning prior to adding distilled spirits for transport or storage provided a more refined and pleasurable product directly related to the duration and environmental changes experienced both during transport and storage, therefore commanding higher prices at resale because of demand when compared to “unaged” spirits.

Then, just as now, the ebb and tide of absorption of distilled spirits into charred wood allows for the adsorption of unwanted compounds such as Sulphur and exposure to compounds such as hemicellulose that break down to wood sugars to add caramel, brown sugar and/or toffee notes, along with a distinct change in the distilled spirit's color from clear to light golden amber all the way to a dark chocolate opaque, creates a product that remains in high demand. Though the science and art of distillation and the aging of spirits has been around for centuries, there remain substantial avenues for innovation and experimentation which appear to just now be surfacing in part due to changes in laws regarding the distillation of spirits more specifically relating to changes in individual state law to allow for greater volumes of production. While the above methods are both viable options to produce an end product of aged spirits, the traditional method focuses in large part on century's old techniques and the other on the application of scientific intervention and machinery to essentially produce an aged product with laboratory precision.

Therefore, it would be desirable to develop new methods and processes for improving and shortening the aging process of the distilled spirits, to provide even more increased quality of the aged spirits in more shortened aging intervals.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, a method and system is provided to age distilled spirits by arranging spirit storage vessels on a craft capable of flight, and transporting the spirits between various destinations.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present general inventive concept will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the present general inventive concept.

The foregoing and/or other aspects and advantages of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing a method of aging distilled spirits, the method including storing the distilled spirits in one or more containment vessels, securing the containment vessels in an unpressurized and ventilated cargo area of a selected flight vessel, and transporting the containment vessels from at least a first destination to at least a second destination upon the selected flight vessel.

The foregoing and/or other aspects and advantages of the present general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a system to age distilled spirits, the system including a containment vessel having a bunghole and configured to store distilled spirits therein, a bung plug configured to be inserted in the bunghole, the bung plug having a channel formed therein in an axial direction, and a diaphragm coupled to the bung plug and configured to contain vapor and/or liquid passed through the channel of the bung plug.

The foregoing and/or other aspects and advantages of the present general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a system to age distilled spirits, the system including a plurality of containment vessels respectively provided with bungholes, the containment vessels configured to store distilled spirits therein, at least one vapor collection vessel provided with a diaphragm configured to contain vapor and/or liquid passed from the vapor collection vessel to the diaphragm, and a plumbing line configured to provide connection between the vapor collection vessel and the bungholes of the containment vessels, wherein vapor and/or liquid passed from the containment vessels are allowed to pass to and from the vapor collection vessel.

Other features and aspects may be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims.

