At Rogue Spirits Distillery, we do things a little differently on the coast. Unlike traditional distilleries that rely on heating and cooling systems, Rogue Spirits Distillery’s barrel room experiences minimal temperature variation, staying within a 10-degree range year-round. The Pacific Northwest’s consistent climate, fresh ocean air, and barometric pressure shifts from coastal storms enable Rogue’s distillers to naturally extract oak flavors from barrels without the use of heat; an innovative process we call “ocean aging.”
When you hear the term “ocean aged” it is most likely in reference to the process when spirits are aged on boats while out to sea. Rogue Spirits Distillery is one of the only known distillery in the world using the ocean aging technique on land.
Unlike traditional whiskey aging methods, ocean aging doesn’t require forced temperature changes to extract flavors from the barrel’s oak. Instead, we take full advantage of our surroundings. Our distillery sits less than 50 yards from the Pacific Ocean, meaning storms and sea breezes play a role in our whiskey’s aging. By simply opening the doors to our barrel room, we allow the shifting barometric pressure to push whiskey in and out of the wooden barrels. On low-pressure days it allows the whiskey to re-permeate the barrels, fostering a unique flavor profile over time. This results in a rich and complex flavor for our iconic whiskeys.
Thanks to the mild climate and ocean air of Newport, we avoid excessive evaporation or “angel’s share,” preserving the whiskey’s integrity. Once aged to perfection, we proof the whiskey down from 120 proof using fresh coastal water, further enhancing its smooth and balanced taste.
Ready to experience the taste of ocean aging yourself? Pick up a bottle of Dead Guy Whiskey and discover the magic!
