Improved container assembly for aging liquid

A method for retaining a liquid during aging of the liquid, the method comprising steps of:

• receiving and retaining the liquid with a container body that defines a chamber;
• positioning an insert retainer assembly within the chamber, the insert retainer assembly including an insert retainer;
• receiving and retaining a flavor insert with the insert retainer, the flavor insert being configured to impart a flavor on the liquid;
• rotatably coupling the insert retainer assembly to the container body;
• and
• selectively coupling a key lock to the insert retainer assembly to inhibit relative rotation between the insert retainer assembly and the container body.

A container assembly for retaining a liquid during aging of the liquid, the container assembly being configured to selectively receive and retain a flavor insert that is configured to impart a flavor on the liquid, the container assembly comprising:

• a container body that defines a chamber which is configured to receive and retain the liquid;
• an upper mount that is fixedly coupled to the container body, the upper mount including a mount aperture and a mount proximal end that extends outwardly away from the container body;
• an insert retainer assembly that is positioned within the chamber, the insert retainer assembly including a connector assembly that rotatably couples the insert retainer assembly to the container body, the connector assembly including a proximal end that is configured to extend at least partially through the mount aperture, the insert retainer assembly including an insert retainer that is configured to receive and retain the flavor insert;
• a key lock that selectively engages the proximal end of the connector assembly of the insert retainer assembly to inhibit relative rotation between the insert retainer assembly and the container body;
• and
• a rotator that is selectively coupled to the key lock, the rotator including a rotator distal end;
• wherein the proximal end of the connector assembly includes a first engagement feature and a lock distal end of the key lock includes a second engagement feature that is configured to engage the first engagement feature formed onto the proximal end of the connector assembly so that the lock distal end fits over the proximal end of the connector assembly in only one specific rotational orientation;
• wherein a lock proximal end of the key lock includes a rotator engager that is configured to engage a portion of the rotator distal end of the rotator so that the rotator distal end fits over the lock proximal end of the key lock in only one specific rotational orientation;
• and
• wherein the key lock is movable between (i) a fully seated configuration, where the key lock engages the proximal end of the connector assembly and further engages the mount proximal end of the upper mount, so that the key lock and the insert retainer assembly rotate together with one another, and where relative rotation is inhibited between the insert retainer assembly and the container body, (ii) a partially seated configuration, where the key lock engages the proximal end of the connector assembly, but does not engage the mount proximal end of the upper mount, so that the key lock and the insert retainer assembly rotate together with one another, but where relative rotation is permitted between the insert retainer assembly and the container body, and (iii) an unseated configuration, where the key lock does not engage the proximal end of the connector assembly and does not engage the mount proximal end of the upper mount.