Whiskey tumbler

[William Tanner]

I’m in the process of making a whiskey cup. I purchased the wood as oak and have turned the inside and outside as you can see. I also charred the inside like a whiskey barrel. I plan to use beeswax wood finish like some of the commercially manufactured ones. The question is, do I also apply the beeswax on the inside charred wood? I watched one video where the whole cup was submerged In beeswax. It seems to me that applying the wax over the burned wood defeats the purpose as this item is suppose to mirror the whiskey barrel flavor.

 

[Mr. Peet]

You are already getting filtered whiskey, so the char-coal in the cup is not meant to filter more or seal more. They dip the entire thing, then hit the inside with flame to let it sink into the char. Works well for a while, but you need to retreat the inside every now and then. Rinse with rubbing alcohol when you think it is time for a clean.

 

[2feathers Creative Making]

You are already getting filtered whiskey, so the char-coal in the cup is not meant to filter more or seal more. They dip the entire thing, then hit the inside with flame to let it sink into the char. Works well for a while, but you need to retreat the inside every now and then. Rise with rubbing alcohol when you think it is time for a clean.

Or dust it and give it a shot of everclear before you get the expensive stuff out.

 

[Mike Hill]

The charcoal "filtering" is called the Lincoln County Process. Named after the TN county Jack Daniels was established in - but no longer. It doesn't "filter" as we might assume filtering. The "new whiskey" that goes into the charcoal vats is a distillate and has few if any particles to filter out. Besides the charcoal is usually bean-sized and couldn't filter much in the nature of particulates. The process is more steeping rather than filtering. It does take out some harsh flavors and oils, for a smoother drink. It also adds color and flavor. Per Tennessee State Law, you cannot have a Tennessee Whiskey without it - well except for the legal exemption of Benjamin Prichard which does not use the process. Federally, a Tennessee Whiskey is simply a straight bourbon that is produced in the State of Tennessee - nothing about charcoal "filtering". I would think that I would not wax the interior. Being in the cup for a short time is unlikely to add much to the whiskey, but every little bit helps. If you want more, char a small barrel and let the whiskey sit in the barrel for a while (I had some small oak barrels that I used for aging wine in, but no longer have) - or put a charred piece of sugar maple or oak or two or more in a container of whiskey. I've had some moonshine, long ago, that had been aged in charred barrels, that was very nice indeed!

 

[William Tanner]

The charcoal "filtering" is called the Lincoln County Process. Named after the TN county Jack Daniels was established in - but no longer. It doesn't "filter" as we might assume filtering. The "new whiskey" that goes into the charcoal vats is a distillate and has few if any particles to filter out. Besides the charcoal is usually bean-sized and couldn't filter much in the nature of particulates. The process is more steeping rather than filtering. It does take out some harsh flavors and oils, for a smoother drink. It also adds color and flavor. Per Tennessee State Law, you cannot have a Tennessee Whiskey without it - well except for the legal exemption of Benjamin Prichard which does not use the process. Federally, a Tennessee Whiskey is simply a straight bourbon that is produced in the State of Tennessee - nothing about charcoal "filtering". I would think that I would not wax the interior. Being in the cup for a short time is unlikely to add much to the whiskey, but every little bit helps. If you want more, char a small barrel and let the whiskey sit in the barrel for a while (I had some small oak barrels that I used for aging wine in, but no longer have) - or put a charred piece of sugar maple or oak or two or more in a container of whiskey. I've had some moonshine, long ago, that had been aged in charred barrels, that was very nice indeed!

Thanks for the information Mike. I’ll keep that in mind for the next one. I have a piece of oak that should work.