Is it better to age before or after backsweetening?

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NeverDie

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I believe the answer may be to age before backsweetening, because surely there is little to no chance of restarting fermentation if backsweetening is done after aging.

So, the sequencing I'm leaning towards is:
1. nominal finish to primary fermentation.
2. Rack to secondary after first adding 30ppm potassium metasulfite to the secondary vessel. The theory here is to kill any wild microbes as well as provide anti-oxidant protection for both the rackings and the aging.
3. age
4. Rack again if necessary
5. Add potassium sorbate
6. Wait 24 hours for the potassium sorbate to do its work.
7. Backsweeten
8. Make other adjustments (tannins, acid, etc.) if desired.
9. Bottle when desired taste is achieved.
10. Finished! Mead is ready to consume at any time.
 
1 + 2 OK, though I might skip the K-Meta at this level, depending on how long next step will be. Definitely rack with no head space.
3. Cold crash if possible, or wait for clearing. Not really aging.
4. Stabilize with sulfite / sorbate and back sweeten to just below where you'd want it. Get the honey to be noticed but not to final sweetness.
5 Age on oak. Typically 2-3 months.
6. Rack again off the oak and honey haze.
7. Final sweetening if needed. Oak will impact the sweetness perception.
8. Acid adjustment if needed.
9. Fine with super kleer and filter.
10. Bottle or age long term

If I had a barrel I suppose this would be different.
 
1 + 2 OK, though I might skip the K-Meta at this level, depending on how long next step will be. Definitely rack with no head space.
3. Cold crash if possible, or wait for clearing. Not really aging.
4. Stabilize with sulfite / sorbate and back sweeten to just below where you'd want it. Get the honey to be noticed but not to final sweetness.
5 Age on oak. Typically 2-3 months.
6. Rack again off the oak and honey haze.
7. Final sweetening if needed. Oak will impact the sweetness perception.
8. Acid adjustment if needed.
9. Fine with super kleer and filter.
10. Bottle or age long term

If I had a barrel I suppose this would be different.

How long do you cold crash for?
 
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