During our development of the WLT150 extract a key focus was ensuring that extensive testing was carried out, key questions about optimising the delivery of the extract had to be answered, we looked at the full range of distilling options, spirit types and typical activities and where best to dose WLT150, these included

  1. What dosage should be used ?
  2. Could you overdose WLT150 ?
  3. Would it work the same in all spirits ?
  4. Where should it be added ?

We spent time working with key champions who were running their own distilleries, trying to understand both the molecular activities taking place during the ageing process as well as the practical interventions that we were able to provide.

We dosed varying levels of WLT150 in every part of the distilling process from fermentation, to distillation right through to “in bottle”, the results were a confirmation that our extract is behaving in a similar fashion to oak barrelling. WLT150 does not have application in the fermentation and distilling processes but can be added at any point thereafter.

WLT150 operates best when it is interacting directly with full strength or still strength spirits normally around 80% AA or 160 proof, this allows the most benefit in developing the spirit, this being said positive results could also be seen at bottle strength. We identified key interactions between the introduction of micro-oxidation (microx) and the spirit in the overall development of the treated product. We believe that this is similar to the slow ingress of oxygen between staves in the barrel, which also assists in the development of a barrel aged product.

We spent much time ensuring that  there was no negative impact on the spirit looking at and tasting various variants and dosage strengths. We believe that there is a “optimal” level of WLT150 dosing, too little and the impact and smoothing is limited, resulting in harsher virgin spirits still being apparent and not having the full impact in blended product. Dosing too much results in some of the base spirit flavor and aroma being too smoothed resulting in a product that is very smooth but missing some of the “hearts” of the spirit.

Instead of setting a fixed recommended dosing rate we have emphasised the distillers need to ensure that they carry out trialing of dosage rates to “dial in” the desired impact they are looking for.

This entire process has given us great comfort in recommending and selling WLT150 to our customers, this was a very necessary step in ensuring that we were safe to apply, we are still cautious with all our customers and always let them know that oak and spirits ageing is as much an art as a science with factors coming to play over tens of years that simply cannot be replicated without the passage of time.

We have seen how WLT has a remarkable effect on spirits but our extract is not promoted as a complete substitute for ageing. The distiller  should always make sure they are confident with WLT150 through testing and evaluation prior to purchasing.

During our development of the WLT150 extract a key focus was ensuring that extensive testing was carried out, key questions about optimising the delivery of the extract had to be answered, we looked at the full range of distilling options, spirit types and typical activities and where best to dose WLT150, these included

  1. What dosage should be used ?
  2. Could you overdose WLT150 ?
  3. Would it work the same in all spirits ?
  4. Where should it be added ?

We spent time working with key champions who were running their own distilleries, trying to understand both the molecular activities taking place during the ageing process as well as the practical interventions that we were able to provide.

We dosed varying levels of WLT150 in every part of the distilling process from fermentation, to distillation right through to “in bottle”, the results were a confirmation that our extract is behaving in a similar fashion to oak barrelling. WLT150 does not have application in the fermentation and distilling processes but can be added at any point thereafter.

WLT150 operates best when it is interacting directly with full strength or still strength spirits normally around 80% AA or 160 proof, this allows the most benefit in developing the spirit, this being said positive results could also be seen at bottle strength. We identified key interactions between the introduction of micro-oxidation (microx) and the spirit in the overall development of the treated product. We believe that this is similar to the slow ingress of oxygen between staves in the barrel, which also assists in the development of a barrel aged product.

We spent much time ensuring that  there was no negative impact on the spirit looking at and tasting various variants and dosage strengths. We believe that there is a “optimal” level of WLT150 dosing, too little and the impact and smoothing is limited, resulting in harsher virgin spirits still being apparent and not having the full impact in blended product. Dosing too much results in some of the base spirit flavor and aroma being too smoothed resulting in a product that is very smooth but missing some of the “hearts” of the spirit.

Instead of setting a fixed recommended dosing rate we have emphasised the distillers need to ensure that they carry out trialing of dosage rates to “dial in” the desired impact they are looking for.

This entire process has given us great comfort in recommending and selling WLT150 to our customers, this was a very necessary step in ensuring that we were safe to apply, we are still cautious with all our customers and always let them know that oak and spirits ageing is as much an art as a science with factors coming to play over tens of years that simply cannot be replicated without the passage of time.

We have seen how WLT has a remarkable effect on spirits but our extract is not promoted as a complete substitute for ageing. The distiller  should always make sure they are confident with WLT150 through testing and evaluation prior to purchasing.