How To Infuse Whiskey
Quick Answer
To infuse whiskey, you add wood or flavorings — most often charred oak or other wood chips, sometimes with fruit or spice like the classic pecan-and-orange combination — to a bottle of whiskey and let it rest in a sealed infusion vessel, tasting as you go. Because you are exposing a small amount of whiskey to a lot of surface area, it works far faster than a full barrel: with a good infusion kit you get a noticeably richer, oakier pour in about 48 hours rather than years. It is a low-cost way to customize a bottle to your exact taste, and it is easy to do at home with a mid-range bourbon or rye — you do not need a top-shelf bottle.
What You Can Infuse Whiskey With
| Infusion ingredient | What it adds | Rough timing |
|---|---|---|
| Charred oak chips | Vanilla, caramel, and classic barrel-aged depth | Around 48 hours |
| Pecan or other nut woods | Warm, rich, nutty character | Around 48 hours |
| Cherry or apple wood | A milder, fruit-tinged sweetness | 1–2 days |
| Citrus peel (e.g. orange) | Bright, aromatic top notes | A day or so |
| Spices (cinnamon, clove) | Warm, spiced backbone | Taste after a day; go slow |
The whiskey and bourbon renaissance is roaring, and infused whisky is leading the charge. Infused whiskey gives whiskey and bourbon connoisseurs unlimited options to craft their perfect pour which matches their specific taste.
Before we get into the recipe, lets recap a few of the benefits of using kits like the Whiskey Infusion Kit to age and flavor whiskey.
Benefits of Infusing Whiskey or Bourbon
First whiskey gets most of it's color and flavor from the charred oak barrels which it's aged in. This process takes years for the whiskey to absorb and process the flavor from the interior of the oak cask.
In a similar way, taking smaller amounts of whiskey, such as a 750ml bottle, and adding the right wood chips exposes more whiskey surface to chips in a smaller amount of time, thereby expediting the aging process.
In theory, aging whiskey in smaller amounts and exposing more whiskey to the wood by using chips, can turn an inexpensive bottle into a top shelf liquor.
In addition to the benefit of aging whiskey with wood chips, the chips add flavor from woods such as cherry wood, peach wood, oak, pecan, and hickory. Much in the same way different woods produce subtle differences when used in smoking meats, the same principle applies to flavoring whiskey.
The second benefit of whiskey infusion kits comes with the unlimited flavors which can be added to change the taste of the whiskey. Herbs, spices, fruits and more are all great for infusing whiskey. How much of each flavor depends on the final desired taste.
Larger amounts over a longer period of time will allow the whiskey to absorb more of the flavor. For whiskey drinkers who thoroughly enjoy the original flavor of whiskey, infusions can add a hint of flavor in just 24 hours.
Why Do People Infuse Whiskey?
Whiskey and bourbon connoisseurs love the never ending pursuit of finding the perfect pour. There is never enough whiskey in their liquor cabinet. The hunt for elusive bottles is part of the fun.
Whiskey infusion kits allow whiskey lovers to experiment with different flavor combinations and taste them in a short amount of time, typically just 48 hours. Some infusion kits come with flavors included, while others have just the equipment components and require the user to come up with their own ingredients.
Whiskey infusion kits have also evolved so they don't take up much space in the home bar, where bar space is limited. Everything is easy to clean, boxes up nicely and can be stored in drawer space.
How to Get Started With Your First Whiskey Infusion
First, purchase a high quality infusion kit such as the Whiskey Infusion Kit from Aged & Charred. Cheap kits always come with a cost. If you're not paying for it with money, you will likely pay with time and frustration related to cleaning the kit, leaks, or just poor results. A high quality kit should come packaged in a nice gift box, be simple to use, and easy to clean.
Here's a simple recipe to get started:
Pecan And Orange Infused Rye Whiskey
Ingredients
- 750ml bottle of rye bourbon whiskey; We recommend Bulleit Rye
- 2 tbsp pecan wood chips
- 2 tbsp dried orange peel
Instructions to Infuse Whiskey
- Add wood chips and orange peel to infusion basket
- Attach basket and base to infusion bottle
- Add whiskey to infusion vessel until full
- Agitate vessel to release any air bubbles
- Agitate vessel 2x per day to move the whiskey through the basket
- Allow infusion to rest 48 hours then taste
- Once the infused bourbon whiskey reaches the desired flavor, transfer it to a container or back into original bottle for storage and dispose of infusion ingredients
Recipe Notes
- The longer the ingredients rest in the bottle the more flavor they will produce.
- Mason jars work great for storage and labeling infusions
START INFUSING WHISKEY
Enjoy your infused bourbon whiskey! Cheers from Aged & Charred.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to infuse whiskey?
With a good infusion kit and wood chips, most people get a noticeably richer, oakier result in about 48 hours — a fraction of the years it takes in a full barrel. Softer additions like citrus can be ready in a day, while spices and stronger woods are best tasted as you go so they do not take over. When it tastes right to you, it is done.
What can you infuse whiskey with?
The most popular option is wood — charred oak, pecan, cherry, or apple chips — which mimics barrel aging. From there you can layer in fruit and citrus peel, or warm spices like cinnamon and clove. A classic starting point is a pecan-and-orange infused rye, which balances nutty wood with bright citrus.
Does infusing whiskey add alcohol or change the proof?
No. Infusing adds flavor, aroma, and color, but it does not add alcohol, so the proof stays essentially the same as the whiskey you started with. What changes is the character of the pour, not its strength.
What is the best whiskey to use for infusing?
A solid mid-range bourbon or rye is ideal. You do not need a rare or top-shelf bottle — infusing is a great way to add depth to an everyday whiskey. Spend your money on a quality infusion setup rather than an expensive base bottle; a cheap kit tends to cost you in time and frustration instead.
How do you store infused whiskey?
Once the flavor is where you want it, strain out the wood chips and any solids so it does not keep infusing and turn bitter. Then store it in a sealed bottle away from direct light and heat, just as you would any whiskey.
