Making whisky at home

[MortenBote]

Dear fellow whisky-enthusiasts

Is there anyone here with experience of making single malt whisky at home?
My darling wife recently suggested that it could be a fun project to start on, and I agree. But I don’t know where to start, and frankly I don’t know anything about making whisky – only drinking it.

I do not have any expectations for the taste, and the sole reason for doing it, is that it could be fun to try and a great occasion to throw a big “opening-party” years from now.
I don’t either have ambition for a big fancy setup since this should be a one-time experience.

My first thought about making whisky is, simply put:
- Buy the ingredients
- Mix the with some base spirit
- Pour it in a small cask
- Wait 10+ years for the result.

Is it a realistic project? Am I being naive?

I’m don’t think I have the courage to start the whole distilling-circus, which I have a lot of respect for.

I hope you can help a Dane in need.

Many regards from Morten

[Bookie]

Do you want to make your own whisky from scratch, i.e. malt your own barley, distil it then mature it? Or get hold of some new make spirit and mature it yourself?

You will find some info here on how Scotch whisky is made: http://www.scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk/made-malt.htm

[MortenBote]

Dear Bookie

Thank you very much for your answer!
I have read the link and watch the film and now I’m a lot wiser regarding whisky-making.
Do you have any experience with making it at home? My plan was to make about 5 liters. What would you recommend. Time is not a problem - only the budget.

Regards from Morten

[MortenBote]

Are there perhaps anyone who has experience with maturing at home? I have to buy a small barrel and some new make spirit. The DIY kits you can buy only speaks of maturing for up to a couple of months because of evaporation. I was looking for a 10 year project. Is this even possible?
As new make spirit costs aprox. 35 punds for 35 cl this is quite expensive if you wish to make 5 L.
Can anyone please guide me? I would be sad to just give it all up.

[Alexppp]

I think realistically, if you want only 5 litres, it would make sense to buy some whisky and do a finishing in your cask, as opposed to maturing it from new-make. If you're looking for full-scale maturation, ten years would be impossible in a small cask at home - aside from the evaporation issues you've been told about, the amount of spirit in contact with the cask would be much greater and you'd very soon end up with some nice wood juice...

I know other members here have experimented with various finishes at home, maybe they'd be able to guide you.

[MortenBote]

Many thanks for your input – it is much appreciated! Wood juice… It sounds… no so great
What kind of whisky would you pour in the barrel: young, cheap or both?

I hope to get the other “finishers” attention via this post.

[Bookie]

You may find this post of interest http://www.scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4417

[Alexppp]

[MortenBote]

Alexppp & Bookie! Thank you very much. I look forward reading the post!