Liquors to use with oak chips

[bobeer]

Hey all! I have an imperial oatmeal stout that I'm going to age on some oak chips. I was going to do what I always do and age the chips in bourbon but I was thinking what other liquors could I use with the oak chips?
I know I could use rum since it's also made in barrels but has anyone out there tried anything else? Obviously it has to go well in a stout. Thanks!

 

[Rootski]

I'm curious about this too and would like to hear others' experiences. I'm not sure about rum since it can have lots of spicy flavors that might conflict with what you're trying to do. Vodka, whiskey, scotch, cognac, or any wine would all be good choices I would think. I personally would think tequila or rum would add flavors to my beer that could be unpredictable so I wouldn't do it unless I read a great review first.

 

[aviator01]

Why wait for reviews. Isn't this game all about creative expression and experimentation? Use whatever booze you like. I prefer a well aged rum. Not all of them are overly spiced.

Make a 5 gallon batch, separate into five 1 gallon jugs and try differently soaked oak chips in each. Next try, blending a bit from several different jugs to see what you come up with.

 

[bobeer]

Why wait for reviews. Isn't this game all about creative expression and experimentation? Use whatever booze you like. I prefer a well aged rum. Not all of them are overly spiced.

Make a 5 gallon batch, separate into five 1 gallon jugs and try differently soaked oak chips in each. Next try, blending a bit from several different jugs to see what you come up with.

This is sort if what I'm trying to do. I have bourbon, rum, and some random other clear liquors I'd rather not use in a stout.
The batch i have now is only 2.5 gallons so i wanted to use just 1 kind of liquor to age with the oak chips. Just looking to see what other folks have used so i can try it all in the future. I'm not much into liquor past bourbon and rum. The cognac was a good suggestion.

 

[Iceman2197]

The pub near me made a Brandy barrel aged imperial stout that was excellent.

 

[BrewerBrad82]

I think that Grand Marnier would be quite interesting. There should be enough flavor in an imperial stout to prevent the liqueur from over powering.

 

[Teromous]

I'm not sure about rum since it can have lots of spicy flavors that might conflict with what you're trying to do.

Not all dark rum is spiced. Additionally white rum is an excellent liquor to add to a beer.

 

[bobeer]

I went the traditional bourbon route. Im going to brew this again, but a bigger batch, and break it up so i can try a few different liquors.

 

[hexangel013]

I've always used Pinot noir for my russian imperial stouts and never got a complaint...except that I don't brew enough of it

 

[1977Brewer]

This settles it. I'm making a Malibu Porter.

 

[bobeer]

This settles it. I'm making a Malibu Porter.

That sounds good. With some coconut too? You thinking about just adding the Malibu or are you going to but age it with oak chips?