Influence of loud music on brandy distillation

As you know, the meaning of some musical works becomes clear only if you listen to them in a state of mild intoxication. But can music improve the quality of alcoholic beverages? According to Joe Heron, this is exactly the case, and he embodies his theory in the production of Copper & Kings brandy and absinthe.

In the production of grape and apple brandy, absinthe and other alcoholic beverages, the Louisville, Kentucky-based distillery uses an additional special component - a steady stream of loud rock music, which is used to cause the so-called sonic aging process of the alcohol in the barrels.

Talking Heads lead singer David Byrne probably has no idea how his music affects the taste of the brandy.

Sound aging technology

Sound aging - is a process in which a pulsed sound wave passes through alcohol, such as Kentucky bourbon, poured into a barrel, creating vibrational movements in the liquid and increasing the frequency of contact between the walls of the vessel and its contents. And the bass plays the main role here.

Implementation of sound aging technology

"The main impulse is created by notes in the bass key," says Heron. Five huge subwoofers are installed in the basement, where alcoholic beverages mature. They emit sound waves that fill the entire room. "The system was developed by a sound engineer who specializes in creating acoustic systems for concerts of musical bands".

Music sounds all the time. It fills the room around the clock with barrels of alcohol with an aging period of 52 months to 14 years. Each batch of alcohol has its own melody. For example, early Stevie Ray Vaughan is playing for the batch to be sold in Texas, hip-hop rhythms in Houston, and Talking Heads in Rhode Island.

Herod likes the idea that music plays an important role in the world of spirits. "Brandy takes on the spirit of Wilson Pickett, Percy Sankey, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, My Morning Jacket and The Doors".

He also believes that the technology of sonic maturation can be used in the production of not only brandy, but also other alcoholic beverages. "The principle is to increase the frequency of contact with wood by stirring," he says. - "Rock 'n' roll, hip-hop and jazz make our brandy literally dance.".

As for the effect, according to Heron, good music played loudly makes the drink thicker, more aromatic, and milder in taste, especially in those barrels that are located near subwoofers. "The color becomes more saturated, which is usually characteristic of alcohol with longer aging," he says.

Despite the fact that this method has no scientific basis, Heron believes that sonic aging gives his brand a special uniqueness. "The brand has the characteristic smooth and steady flavor, but it also has the explosion of flavor that is characteristic of bourbon.".

Update: 25.11.2015

Category: Brandy and Cognac