Cask Aged Vieux Carre
Add depth and complexity to your favorite cocktails by aging them in an oak barrel. Vieux Carre, Boulevardier and Negroni are all great cocktails that benefit from oak cask aging.
Equipment
- Cured 2 Liter Oak Barrel
- 2.5 Liter Pitcher
- Measuring Cup
- Funnel
Ingredients
Cask Aging
- 22 oz High Proof Rye Whiskey 100 proof
- 22 oz Cognac
- 22 oz Sweet Vermouth
- 5 oz Benedictine
Serving
- 2 dashes Peychaud's Bitters
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- Lemon Twist
Instructions
Cure the Barrel
- If this is the first time you used your barrel, you want to make sure it is properly cured. Curing expands the wood and prevents leaking. It is important to not rush this process.
- Rinse out your barrel three or four times to get any loose charred wood debris out.
- Fill your barrel full of HOT water and insert bung. Set the barrel with spigot end up while curing.
- Keep it full of water for 5-7 days. If still leaking after 7 day use some barrel wax to seal leaks.
Aging
- Pour your liquor into barrel. DO NOT age bitters or juices. These should be added just before serving. Bitters will over power the cocktail and juices will go bad.
- The age of your barrel will determine the length of aging. The new the barrel the less time it takes to impart the flavors. Taste regularly for flavor preference.
Bottling
- Once the cocktail reaches your flavor preference, pour it out and store in bottles. Fill bottles to the top to prevent too much air from accessing the cocktail.
Storing Your Barrel
- You never want to barrel to dry out. Store with water or start aging another batch of liquor. Don't let water sit for more than 14 days, as mold may be to develop.
Serving Vieux Carre
- Stir 3 oz of Aged Vieux Carre on ice with bitter. Strain over ice and garnish with a lemon twist.
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