# US 2016/0355771 A1 · Method for rapid maturation of distilled spirits using light and ultrasonic energy processes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0355771 A1 - Document ID: US20160355771A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/239,603 - Filed: 2016-08-17 - Published: 2016-12-08 - Earliest claimed: 2014-01-10 - Assignees: Lost Spirits Distillery, LLC - Applicants: Lost Spirits Distillery - Inventors: Bryan Alexander Davis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160355771A1 ## CPC - C12H 1/165: {by irradiation} - C12G 3/07: Flavouring with wood extracts, e.g. generated by contact with wood; Wood pretreatment therefor - C12H 1/18: by heating - C12H: PASTEURISATION, STERILISATION, PRESERVATION, PURIFICATION, CLARIFICATION OR AGEING OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; METHODS FOR ALTERING THE ALCOHOL CONTENT OF FERMENTED SOLUTIONS OR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES (simulation ageing by flavouring C12G3/06) - C12G: WINE; PREPARATION THEREOF; ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES (beer C12C); PREPARATION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES NOT PROVIDED FOR IN SUBCLASSES C12C OR C12H ## Abstract An improved system and process for rapidly producing distilled spirits having characteristics associated with a much longer maturation process is provided. The method involves (a) subjecting an unmatured spirit to ultrasonic energy at a power of at least 3 Watts/Liter for at least one hour while maintaining the temperature of the unmatured spirit between 90° F. and 150° F.; and (b) subjecting the unmatured spirit and wood to actinic light at a wavelength ranging from 400 nm to 1000 nm for a cumulative exposure of at least 2,280,000 lux hours. The disclosure also provides embodiments where a spirit processed with ultrasonic energy is mixed with a spirit that has been separately treated with light to give characteristics of a mature spirit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A process for producing a distilled spirit having characteristics associated with a mature spirit comprising: (a) subjecting an unmatured spirit to ultrasonic energy at a power of at least 3 Watts per liter for at least one hour while maintaining the temperature of the unmatured spirit between 90° F. and 150° F.; and (b) subjecting the unmatured spirit and wood to actinic light at a wavelength ranging from 400 nm to 1000 nm for a cumulative exposure of at least 2,280,000 lux hours, wherein the steps are separate and not overlapping. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the unmatured spirit is selected from the group consisting of sugar cane spirits, grain spirits, fruit spirits, agave spirits, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the unmatured spirit is selected from the group consisting of rum, tequila, mescal, whiskey, brandy, gin, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the unmatured spirit is rum. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the mature spirit is characterized by an increase in sinapaldehyde. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the mature spirit is characterized by an increase in sinapaldehyde, ethyl dodecanoate, and ethyl decanoate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the mature spirit has an ethyl acetate concentration of about 59,000 μg/L. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the process further comprises at least one additional ultrasonic energy step where the unmatured spirit is subjected to ultrasonic energy at a power of at least 3 Watts/Liter for at least one hour while maintaining the temperature of the unmatured spirit between 90° F. and 150° F. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the process further comprises at least one additional step where the unmatured spirit is subjected to actinic light at a wavelength ranging from 400 nm to 1000 nm for a cumulative exposure of at least 2,280,000 lux hours. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein step (a) is conducted prior to step (b). ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein step (b) is conducted prior to step (a). ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the wood is washed with a solution containing a carboxylic acid prior to the process. ### Claim 13 A process for producing a distilled spirit having characteristics associated with a mature spirit comprising: (a) subjecting an unmatured spirit to ultrasonic energy at a power of at least 3 Watts/Liter for at least one hour while maintaining the temperature of the unmatured spirit between 90° F. and 150° F. to give a first distilled spirit mixture; (b) subjecting the unmatured spirit and wood to actinic light at a wavelength ranging from 400 nm to 1000 nm for a cumulative exposure of at least 2,280,000 lux hours to give a second distilled spirit mixture; and (c) mixing the first and second distilled spirit mixtures to produce the mature spirit, wherein the steps are separate and not overlapping. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The process of claim 13, wherein the spirit is selected from the group consisting of sugar cane spirits, grain spirits, fruit spirits, agave spirits, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The process of claim 13, wherein the spirit is selected from the group consisting of rum, tequila, mescal, whiskey, brandy, gin, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The process of claim 13, wherein the mature spirit is characterized by an increase in sinapaldehyde. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The process of claim 13, wherein the mature spirit is characterized by an increase in sinapaldehyde, ethyl dodecanoate, and ethyl decanoate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The process of claim 13, wherein the mature spirit has an ethyl acetate concentration of about 170,000 μg/L. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The process of claim 13, wherein the wood is washed with a solution containing a carboxylic acid prior to the process. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The process of claim 13, wherein the spirit is rum and the wood is oak.