PolyPhoenix Raw Maturation American White Oak Aging Sticks - 10 Pack

Bottle sized maturation American Oak mini staves ready for toasting and charring to your prefered level at home 

These come raw and untoasted, ready for you to toast (or char) to your own desired level right out of the box. American white oak is the same wood used in bourbon barrels, prized for its naturally high levels of oak lactones and lignin, the precursor products to vanilla, coconut and caramel character in barrel aged spirit.

Toasting and charring aren't the same thing, they push flavour in different directions:

• Toasting applies controlled, dry heat. This breaks down lignin and caramelises the wood's natural sugars, which is what adds vanilla, caramel and spice notes. A lighter toast keeps more of the natural oak character, while a heavier toast pulls more vanilla and spice forward at the expense of some of that lactone character.
• Charring takes it further with direct flame, burning the surface and creating a thin layer of activated carbon. That carbon layer acts as a filter, softening harsh notes in young spirit, while also adding its own smoky, roasted character and significant colour and sweetness.

Since these sticks come to you untoasted, you're in full control. Go light for a subtler oak influence, or push into a heavier toast or char for a bigger, more barrel-forward result. Adds genuine barrel aged oak character to your favourite whisky, bourbon and rum.

These sticks will fit our 750mL Round Spirit Bottles, 750ml PET Spirit Bottles, 1125mL PET Spirit Bottles, 5L Demijohns and 4L Demijohns. They will not fit in the 750mL Slim Spirit Bottles.

Dimensions

• 14.3mm x 14.3mm (19.5mm min diameter) x 100mm long
• 4mm hanger hole drilled through

Note: These will fit most standard spirit bottles but this will depend on manufacturer.