Copper & Kings in ‘sonic ageing’ brandy experiment

Kentucky-based Copper & Kings distillery is undertaking a “sonic ageing” experiment – by playing loud music to its maturing brandy.

The distillery produces craft, copper pot-distilled brandy, matured in bourbon barrels – now with an extra musical influence.

Vibrations triggered by loud music causes the liquid to circulate within the barrel, increasing its contact with the oak. It is thought that this sonic ageing increases the wood influence taken on by the brandy, resulting in a stronger flavour.

Chosen tunes reportedly include those by Lenny Kravitz, The Doors and Bruce Springsteen.

Copper & Kings owner Jim Heron told Vice site Munchies: “The sonic ageing process is actually really integral to who we are as a company as well; Copper & Kings is meant to sound like a brand, like the Kings of Leon.”

American brandy must be aged in oak for at least two years, so it will be some time before the results of the novel maturation process are known.

Copper & Kings joins New Zealand gin distiller Rogue Society in experimenting with music’s role in spirit maturation.