These are a series of home aging experiments using a 2-liter barrel. I have not written about the first four, maybe I can write them up and backdate the posts.

Home Barrel Experiment #5 is aging a bottle of Totem.

If you are not familiar with Totem, it is based on a specific style of mezcal called Pechuga. Don't worry it tastes nothing like mezcal.⁠
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Pechuga is made when a finished mezcal is redistilled with local fruits, grains, and nuts, and a raw chicken or turkey breast is hung over the still, cooking in the heat from the still, supposedly adding to the spirit's final flavor. ⁠
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Totem is all Texas, using a cold-smoked hog and locally foraged fruits & botanicals. ⁠

Details

• Distillery: Real Spirits Distilling

• Product: 2022 Totem

• Date Barrel Filled: 7/2/22

• Previous Barrel Fill: Water

Update #1

Just over a month of aging has produced a hint of color. It does not surprise me that the color impact is low since it is a well-used barrel. However, the aging did add sweetness to the taste and mellowed the spicy finish.

I will update the process as it continues to age.