GB2490954A

GB2490954A - Apparatus for ageing an alcoholic beverage

Info

Publication number: GB2490954A
Application number: GB1108454.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carolynn Braniff; Shane Joseph Braniff
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-05-20
Filing date: 2011-05-20
Publication date: 2012-11-21
Also published as: GB201108454D0

Abstract

An apparatus 1 for ageing an alcoholic liquid is disclosed comprising a container 2 for holding the alcoholic liquid within a fixed area having an opening and comprising a sealing means 4, the container further comprising ageing means 10 for imparting a flavour to the alcoholic liquid held within the container, the ageing means 10 being immersible within the liquid such that the flavour is imparted to the liquid. The ageing means may be an elongated wooden element, wooden shavings held in a permeable packaging, or a wooden spring. The wood may be oak. The sealing means may be a cork, and the apparatus may further comprise a bifurcated securing means (16a) for securing a flavouring agent, and a stopping means (20) to allow fluid to exit the container but prevent solids from exiting the container.

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR AGEING BEVERAGES

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for ageing alcoholic beverages, in particular alcoholic beverages which require a maturing period.

It is known to use wooden casks to age and mature alcoholic beverages such as spirits, wines and fortified wines. The density of colour and complexity of flavour is determined by the type of cask and the length of time the beverage is retained within the cask. All spirits when distilled are clear in colour. It is during the ageing or storage period in the wooden casks that the spirits take on the colour and flavour that provides each of the spirits with their distinct flavour. For example, when making bourbon the distillate is placed into a virgin oak cask where it is retained until it has aged or matured as appropriate. Other spirits are matured in a previously used cask for example, a bourbon or sherry cask. Optionally some of these spirits are transferred from a first cask to another previously used cask to add a so-called finish' to the beverage.

It is recognised in the industry that there is currently a shortage of oak to make the virgin oak casks required when making bourbon or other alcoholic beverages. This poses a particular problem for the bourbon industry as the use of virgin oak casks are a specific requirement for the ageing or maturing process.

It is to be understood that the term alcoholic beverage and, or spirit are used interchangeably throughout the specification to describe a beverage that requires a maturation process to mature the alcoholic beverage and enhance the final flavour of the beverage.

It is known to mature whiskey in a non-wooden container. International Patent Application WO 97/49795 discloses a container and method for ageing whiskey in a non wooden container. The method for ageing the whiskey includes the steps of transferring the matured whiskey to a supplementary container containing a wooden component. In practice the wooden component is inserted into the container through an opening in the side wall of the container and is fixed thereto.

The problem associated with the container of WO 97/49795, is that the wooden component is secured to the container at a specific location. The wooden component when moistened expands causing stress to be placed on the container. In the examples shown in WO 97/49795, the container is formed from glass, thus the additional stress placed on the glass due to the expansion of the moistened wood can cause the container to crack or shatter.

Furthermore, it is known that alcoholic beverages matured in wooden casks or containers experience natural evaporation of the liquid over time, thereby reducing the volume of liquid held within the container. This phenomenon is known as the angels share'. If the wooden component of WO 97/49795, is placed within the upper region of the container, the wooden component will not be able to impart flavour into the liquid nor will the liquid be able to evaporate if the liquid level drops below the position of the wooden component whilst in storage.

A wooden component such as that disclosed in W097/49795, wherein the wooden component is not secured to the container is a potential hazard. It is possible that the wooden component could be accidentally swallowed should a person drink the beverage directly from the bottle.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for ageing an alcoholic beverage which is suitable for use in a wide range of supplementary containers. It is also an object of the invention to provide a method for ageing an alcoholic beverage.

It is acknowledged that the term comprise' may, under varying jurisdictions be provided with either an exclusive or inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, the term comprise shall have an inclusive meaning. It should be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components. Accordingly, the term comprise' is to be attributed with as broad an interpretation as possible within any given jurisdiction and this rationale should also be used when the terms comprised' and/or comprising' are used.

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing

description which is given by way of example only.

According to the invention, there is provided an apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid comprising: a container for holding an alcoholic liquid within a fixed area having an opening and removable sealing means for closing the container opening as required, the container further comprising ageing means for imparting a flavour to the alcoholic liquid held within the container, the ageing means being connectable to the sealing means and immersible within the alcoholic liquid such that the flavour is imparted to the liquid.

The advantage of this is that the ageing means remain in contact with the alcoholic liquid until such a time as the ageing means are removed from the alcoholic liquid. Removal of the ageing means can be done once the alcoholic liquid has matured and achieved the required colour and flavour as required or as determined by the consumer.

In another embodiment of the invention, the ageing means comprises a wooden element.

It is to be understood that the wooden element comprises one or more types of wood as deemed suitable by the producer of the alcoholic spirit.

In a further embodiment of the invention the wooden element is in the form of an elongated cylindrical element. Optionally the elongated cylindrical element is in the shape of a dowel. Alternatively the elongated wooden element has increased surface area at one end. In this way more of the ageing element is in contact with the alcoholic liquid and more flavour is imparted into the alcoholic liquid. It is of course understood that the wooden element could adopt any shape that is deemed suitable by the person skilled in the art.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the wooden element is in the form of a coiled spring whereby the wooden element is tensioned into a compressed spring to facilitate entry into the container. Once in the container the tension is released thereby allowing the spring to open and the wooden element is uncoiled. In this way the wooden element opens out and allows increased contact between the surface area of the wooden element and the alcoholic liquid.

In another embodiment of the invention, the ageing means comprises wooden shavings whereby wooden shavings are contained in a permeable packaging which enables the flavour imparted by the wooden shavings to diffuse into the alcoholic liquid whilst containing the distribution of the wooden shavings within the alcoholic liquid.

Advantageously a suitable permeable packaging is determined by the person skilled in the art and could be selected for example from a group comprising perforated metal, porous paper, silk or suitable polymer such as for example nylon.

Optionally in a further embodiment of the invention the ageing means are formed from casks previously used to age other or the same alcoholic liquids.

In a further embodiment of the invention the ageing means varies in length and diameter such that the ageing means extends sufficiently into the alcoholic liquid being contained within the container to fully impart the flavour into the liquid. Conveniently the ageing means are not limited in length or diameter, any length or diameter that is determined suitable by a person skilled in the art can be used.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the sealing means comprises a cap.

Advantageously the cap is formed from any one of a suitable material such as for example, wood, cork, plastic, or metal or a combination of one or more of the suitable materials. Conveniently the cap is provided with natural or artificial venting means to allow the alcoholic liquid contained within the container to breathe. This in turn allows the alcoholic liquid to evaporate, thereby reducing the volume of liquid and/or alcohol content within the liquid. In this way the phenomenon of reducing the alcoholic liquid to provide the angels share' associated with the maturing process of alcoholic liquids is simulated.

In a further embodiment of the invention the ageing means are secured to the sealing means by direct or indirect means. In one embodiment of the invention the ageing means are fitted into or underneath the sealing means. In this way when the liquid has reached the required maturation period or the colour and flavour of the spirit is as required by the consumer, the ageing means can be fully removed from the container to prevent further imparting of the flavour or colour from the ageing means into the spirit.

In a further embodiment of the invention the ageing means are provided with one or more areas which have been weakened to form a fracture zone whereby the ageing means can be disconnected from the sealing means and removed from the container. In this way the ageing means can be removed entirely or in portions from the container to stop the maturing process.

In a further embodiment of the invention the ageing means are fitted into the sealing means such that the ageing means extend through the sealing means thereby allowing a portion of the ageing means to be exposed on the external surface of the sealing means remote from the interior of the container. This has the effect of further increasing the natural evaporation process of the alcoholic liquid.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the sealing means are provided with securing means whereby the securing means retain the ageing means and/or further flavoured elements within the alcoholic liquid. In a further embodiment the securing means are provided in the form of gripping means to retain the flavoured element within the alcoholic liquid. In one embodiment of the invention the gripping means are provided as a cylindrical element having a bifurcated end remote from the sealing means whereby the bifurcated ends are resiliently biased towards each other. It is of course understood where the ageing means comprise a cylindrical wooden element, the gripping means are provided as a bifurcated end remote from the sealing means. Optionally the gripping means are further provided with fastening means to ensure that ageing means and/or the flavoured element are securely retained by the gripping means within the alcoholic liquid.

In a further embodiment the apparatus of the invention further comprises stopping means whereby the stopping means allow fluid to exit the container through the opening but prevent any solids from exiting the container through the opening. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the stopping means are provided as a flexible disc having one or more openings which is sized such that it is slightly larger than the opening of the container. Optionally the openings on the flexible disc are provided with a covering such as a mesh which allows fluid to exit but will stop solid debris. In use, the stopping means are positioned over the opening within the container to allow fluid to exit the container but retain any solid material that may be suspended in the fluid. Conveniently the stopping means are removable from the container to ensure a user can remove the ageing means from the container when so desired. In a further embodiment of the invention the stopping means are provided as a flexible disc positioned on the ageing means when the ageing means are provided as an elongated cylindrical element.

In a further embodiment of the invention the ageing means are provided in any shape or form deemed suitable by a person skilled in the art. In one embodiment of the invention the ageing means comprise any one of the suitable woods known to the person skilled in the art, such as oak in the variety or species recognised by those skilled in the art.

Optionally a portion or all of the ageing means are charred to impart further flavouring to the alcoholic liquid held within the container.

In a further embodiment of the invention the ageing means are provided with an area which enables the producer to imprint identification onto the ageing means. In this way the producer is able to record, for example, a batch number and/or the date on which the ageing means are inserted into the spirit. It is understood that the identification is completed in such a way that it does not give rise to any health or safety issues.

In a further embodiment of the invention the ageing means are provided with a scaling measurement imprinted thereon. In this way the producer and/or consumer can identify the volume of liquid present in the container at any given time.

The present invention further provides a method for ageing an alcoholic liquid in the apparatus of the invention comprising the steps of: a) using a container for holding an alcoholic liquid within a fixed area, the container comprising an opening and removable sealing means for closing the container opening as required, the container further comprising ageing means for imparting a flavour to the alcoholic liquid held within the container, the ageing means being connectable to the sealing means and immersible within the alcoholic liquid such that the flavour is imparted to the liquid; b) storing the alcoholic liquid into the container for a period of time to allow the ageing means to impart flavour to the alcoholic liquid; and c) removing the ageing means from the alcoholic liquid when the desired flavour has been imparted to the alcoholic liquid.

It is to be understood that present invention can be used to mature an alcoholic liquid that is distilled directly into the container of the invention or an alcoholic liquid that has been partially matured in a virgin or used cask.

The invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show by way of example only some embodiments of an apparatus for ageing a spirit in accordance with the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of an apparatus for ageing a spirit in a container in accordance with the present invention; Figure IA is a perspective view of the apparatus for ageing a spirit of Figure 1; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the apparatus for ageing a spirit in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the apparatus for ageing a spirit in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus for ageing a spirit in accordance with the present invention.

Referring initially to Figures I and IA, there is shown cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of an apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid such as a spirit in a container 1 having sealing means 4. Container I comprises a glass body 2 and a cap 4 to which the ageing means 10 are attached. In this embodiment of the invention cap 4 is provided as a cork cap.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, cap 4 for the container is made from a suitable material selected from any one or a combination of, for example, wood, cork, plastic, or a metal cap as known to a person skilled in the art. The cap is provided with venting means (not shown) to allow the spirit contained within container I to breathe. This provides a vent through which the spirit can evaporate, thereby reducing the volume of liquid and/or the alcoholic content of the liquid. In this way the spirit is reduced in a similar way as a spirit being aged in a wooden casket and the angels share' is dispersed. When the cap 4 is in the form of a cork cap, the venting means are provided naturally within the cork material. It is to be understood that this does not preclude a person skilled in the art from forming further venting means in a cork cap if so desired.

In Figure 1, the ageing means 10 are provided in the form of an elongate cylindrical wooden element such as a wooden stem. The wooden stem extends fully into the container I so that flavour is released even if there is little liquid left in the container 1. The wooden stem 10 can vary in length. The wooden stem 10 is similar in shape to a dowel and is fitted into a cap 4 SO that there is an exposed end 12 of the wooden stem 10 on the outside of the cap 4 or otherwise secured underneath.

Ideally the wooden stem extends all the way down into the bottle so that it can release flavour even if there is little liquid left in the bottle. Preferably the wooden stem 10 is an oak stem. It is to be understood that any suitable wooden material known to a person skilled in the art could also be used to form the wooden stem. This further assists venting of the liquid contained within the container 1.

Although not shown in Figure 1 or IA, optionally all or a portion of the wooden stem 10 is charred to provide further flavouring to the spirit being aged within the container 1. In a further embodiment of the invention the date on which the wooden stem is inserted into the spirit is imprinted onto the wooden stem during the charring process. Although not shown, optionally the wooden stem is provided with flat area which enables the date to be burned onto the wooden or otherwise written on the wooden stem.

The ageing means 10 can also be provided in alternative forms or shapes. Two further examples of different shapes of the ageing means are shown in Figure 2 and 3 respectively. Referring now specifically to Figure 2, there is shown ageing means 14 wherein the wooden stem is thicker and/or wider at the free end of the stem 14a. This has the effect of increasing the surface area of the wooden stem 14 present in the liquid which in turn increases the flavour to the spirit.

Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of the ageing means 16 comprising gripping means 16a for securing a flavoured element 16b which slowly releases additional or alternative flavours into the liquid during the maturation process. Examples of flavoured elements 16b include one or more of a vanilla pod, cinnamon stick or other spices. Gripping means 16a are provided as a bifurcated end 16a of the wooden element 16. The bifurcated ends are resiliently biased towards each other such that the flavour agent is secured by the bifurcated ends 1 6a. Additional fastening means I 6c further secure flavour element I 6b into position.

Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of the invention wherein the ageing means 10 further comprise wood shavings or a flavoured element contained within an enclosed package 17 made from diffusible material. In this embodiment of the invention the package is secured loosely to securing means I 6d located at the base of wooden stem 10 remote from cap 4. The wood shavings or flavoured element will absorb some of the alcoholic liquid held within the container 1 and swell up. The packaging will be sized and shaped to ensure sufficient quantities of the wood shavings are present to enhance the flavour of the spirit. It is to be understood that other forms of the ageing means 10 could also be secured to securing means 16d by being tied, clipped or fastened to either the ring portion or directly to the base of the wooden stem 10 remote from the cap 4.

Ageing means 10 are provided with stopping means 20 which comprises a flexible disk 22 having one or more ribs 24. The stopping means 20 are sized and shaped such that the disk is slightly larger than the opening of the container. Stopping means 20 act as a natural barrier which prevents the ageing means from being fully removed from the container as the stopping means 20 cannot be removed through the opening of the container without exerting additional force. In this way, the stopping means 20 prevent the package 17 from exiting the container.

In practice, stopping means 20 is positioned a sufficient distance from the cap 4 to allow the ageing means to be partially removed from the container 2 so as to allow a consumer to remove the cap 4 to pour out some of the spirit whilst positioning the stopping means over the opening to prevent the package 17 from exiting the container I without stopping liquid being poured from the container I. The flexible disk 20 can be removed and reinserted into the container by the consumer if 50 desired by exerting additional pressure whilst removing or inserting the ageing means which will cause the flexible disk to flex in the opposite direction of the force being exerted.

In a further embodiment of the invention the stopping means 20 is provided with a fine mesh (not shown), which allows the alcoholic liquid to be poured out of the container whilst retaining any suspended debris thus preventing the debris from exiting the container.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid comprising: a container for holding an alcoholic liquid within a fixed area having an opening and removable sealing means for closing the container opening as required, the container further comprising ageing means for imparting a flavour to the alcoholic liquid held within the container, the ageing means being connectable to the sealing means and immersible within the alcoholic liquid such that the flavour is imparted to the liquid.
2. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the ageing means comprises a wooden element.
3. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the wooden element comprises one or more types of wood.
4. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the wooden element is in the form of an elongate cylindrical element.
5. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the elongated cylindrical wooden element has increased surface area at one end.
6. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the ageing means comprises a wooden element in the form of a coiled spring wooden element.
7. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the wooden element is tensioned into a compressed spring to facilitate entry into the container.
8. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the ageing means comprises a wooden element in the form of wooden shavings whereby the wooden shavings are contained in a permeable packaging which enables the flavour imparted by the wooden shavings to diffuse into the alcoholic liquid whilst containing the distribution of the wooden shavings within the alcoholic liquid.
9. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the permeable packaging are selected from a group comprising perforated metal, porous paper, silk or suitable polymer.
10. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ageing means are formed from casks previously used to mature alcoholic liquids.
11. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing means comprises a cap.
12. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the sealing means comprises a cap formed from any one or a combination of one or more of a group of suitable materials selected from, wood, cork, plastic or a metal material.
13. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing means comprises natural or artificial venting means.
14. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ageing means are secured to the sealing means by direct or indirect means.
15. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ageing means are provided with a weakened area forming one or more fracture zones on the ageing means.
16. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ageing means are fitted into the sealing means, the ageing means extending through the sealing means such that that a portion of the ageing means is exposed on the external surface of the sealing means remote from the interior of the container.
17. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing means comprises securing means.
18. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the securing means are gripping means which retain the ageing means and/or further flavoured elements within the alcoholic liquid.
19. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the gripping means are provided as a cylindrical element having a bifurcated end remote from the sealing means.
20. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the bifurcated ends are resiliently biased towards each other.
21. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in any one of Claim 18, Claim 19 or Claim 20, wherein the gripping means are further provided with fastening means to ensure that ageing means and/or the flavoured element are securely retained by the gripping means within the alcoholic liquid.
22. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the container further comprises stopping means whereby the stopping means allow fluid to exit the container through the opening but prevent solids from exiting the container through the opening.
23. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in Claim 22, wherein the stopping means is sized such that it is slightly larger than the opening of the container.
24. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in Claim 22 or Claim 23, wherein the stopping means comprise a flexible disc having one or more openings.
25. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in Claim 24, wherein the flexible disc comprises a covering for covering the openings of the flexible disc such that the covering allows fluid to exit the container and prevents solids from exiting the container.
26. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ageing means comprises oak wood.
27. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in Claim 26, wherein a portion or all of the oak ageing means are charred to impart further flavouring the alcoholic liquid held within the container.
28. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ageing means are provided with an area for imprinting identification onto the ageing means.
29. An apparatus for ageing an alcoholic liquid substantially in accordance with any of the embodiments as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
30. A method for ageing an alcoholic liquid spirit in an apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 to Claim 28 comprising the steps of: a) using a container for holding an alcoholic liquid within a fixed area, the container comprising an opening and removable sealing means for closing the container opening as required, the container further comprising ageing means for imparting a flavour to the alcoholic liquid held within the container, the ageing means being connectable to the sealing means and immersible within the alcoholic liquid such that the flavour is imparted to the liquid; b) storing the alcoholic liquid into the container for a period of time to allow the ageing means to impart flavour to the alcoholic liquid; and c) removing the ageing means from the alcoholic liquid when the desired flavour has been imparted to the alcoholic liquid.