Jim Beam & the Angel’s Share
When they make Jim Beam, the distillers pour the Bourbon (which at this point is clear and has no colour) into empty, charred oak barrels and store them in what is called a rackhouse (which is something like a barn full of barrels).
Inside the rackhouse convection causes the warm air to rise (just like it does everywhere else in the world), so that the temperature is warmer on the top floors of the rackhouse compared to the lower floors. The barrels expand & contract according to the temperature, allowing bourbon to seep into the barrel. It is this natural process that makes the liquid evaporate (some of it also seeps into the barrel): the higher the barrels are stored – the more liquid will evaporate.
Scan from one of my old B/W photos.
The end result of this beautiful process is that the barrels that are stored on top, produce the most flavourful & smooth Bourbon, and the approximately 30 percent of alcohol that is lost due to the evaporation during the aging process is called the ‘The Angel’s Share’.
My dream is to some day be able to visit an American Bourbon Distillery.
WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – CELEBRATION
I’m celebrating with linking up to all the other bloggers in the Weekly Photo Challenge:
- Flickrcomments.wordpress.com
- Latebloomerbuds.wordpress.com
- Angelinem.wordpress.com
- http://aurelientt.wordpress.com/
- http://justsnaps.wordpress.com/
- insellos.wordpress.com/
- http://nandinidhiman.wordpress.com/
- http://menonh.wordpress.com/
- http://photogirl23.wordpress.com
- http://theothercourtney.wordpress.com/
- http://ceeslifephotographyblog.wordpress.com/
- http://deadpoet1968.wordpress.com/
- http://3rdculturechildren.com/
- http://chittlechattle.wordpress.com/
- http://backseatview.wordpress.com
- http://lucidgypsy.wordpress.com/
- http://withoutstringstied.wordpress.com/
- http://dailypost.wordpress.com/
- http://lookingatlyrics.wordpress.com/
- http://cinova.wordpress.com/
- http://roobo69.wordpress.com/
- http://languagesofart.wordpress.com/
- http://zingaling23.wordpress.com/
- http://robertdickinsonphotography1987.wordpress.com/
- http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/
- http://thetravelingbookclub.wordpress.com/
- http://amarnaik.wordpress.com/
- http://www.nantuckettiechic.com
- http://halfcnote.com/
- http://articlesofabsurdity.com/
- http://bashert04.com/
- http://jullianeford.wordpress.com/
- http://jtwhite5.wordpress.com/
- http://holdeeeeat.com/
- http://kardzbykris.wordpress.com/
- http://creativityaroused.wordpress.com/
- http://latebloomerbuds.wordpress.com/
- http://eldysphotoblog.wordpress.com/
- http://truthaboutmornings.wordpress.com/
- http://angelinem.wordpress.com/
- http://northernnarratives.wordpress.com/
- http://ruralrouterunner.wordpress.com/
- http://mscollis.wordpress.com/
- http://ilovemandaue.wordpress.com/
- http://asimplereminder.wordpress.com/
- http://seraphim6.wordpress.com/
- http://andreadreamin.com/
- http://mdcphotographs.wordpress.com/
- http://www.threesticksofwatusi.com/
Those lucky angels.
December 6, 2011 at 00:53
Lucky bastards!
December 6, 2011 at 22:09
Who would have thought? Angel’s share. I’ll have to remember that. Margie
December 6, 2011 at 01:06
I think the name suits the process perfectly.
December 6, 2011 at 22:11
Cool entry. Thanks for the pingback CG, I appreciate it. Happy Holidays
December 10, 2011 at 08:58
Thank you aRVee! Happy holidays to your & yours as well!
December 11, 2011 at 10:01
Nice entry
.
December 10, 2011 at 10:31
Takk
December 11, 2011 at 10:03
Takk is one of the fewest Norwegian words that I know what it means.
Thanks fot the pingback!
December 11, 2011 at 14:14
I’m glad that you knew this word.
December 11, 2011 at 15:14
maybe the angels are drinking all day long Jim Beam?
December 10, 2011 at 12:40
If I was an angel I know I would!
December 11, 2011 at 10:02
Great Entry my Friend
December 10, 2011 at 13:06
Takk Jake
December 11, 2011 at 10:03
Thank you for the pingback my friend
December 11, 2011 at 22:41
I like the picture. Nice one.
And thank you for the pingback.
December 10, 2011 at 15:45
Don’t mention it, no problem.
December 11, 2011 at 10:04
How kind. Thank you for the pingback and I love the picture. There’s something about a black and white photograph.
December 10, 2011 at 16:39
Yes that’s true: B/W photography is something else.
December 11, 2011 at 10:06
Thank you for visting my blog and for the pingback
I have not visited a distillery but I saw a program on TV about it.
December 10, 2011 at 17:27
I’ve never been to a destillery either, but I saw a documentary and that’s where I first heard about the Angel’s Share. Maybe we saw the same program?
December 11, 2011 at 10:08
wonderful post
December 10, 2011 at 19:31
Shukrya Amar.
December 11, 2011 at 10:08
Cool take on the challenge
December 11, 2011 at 20:28
Thanks WildBlack
December 11, 2011 at 22:05
Now I’m jealous
December 11, 2011 at 21:32
Maybe you can ask Mr Santa to bring you a bottle for christmas
December 11, 2011 at 22:06
Interesting post and a very nice photo! Thanks for the pingback as well
December 12, 2011 at 19:10
No problem Queen of Zoom
December 17, 2011 at 09:07
Makes me wish to be an angel! Well, perhaps some time in the future… Thank you for sharing your photo with us
Greetings from Switzerland,
- Pierre
December 15, 2011 at 14:30
You can always have some of what’s left after the Angel’s had their share – no need to be an angel for that
December 17, 2011 at 09:09
As soon as you remember that drinking with moderation is the best way of celebrating
Here is my set…
http://jibsphotography.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/weekly-photo-challenge-celebration/
Byee
December 15, 2011 at 22:27
Usually I drink with moderation. Except for a bender with friends on very rare occasions.
December 17, 2011 at 09:12