Improvements in the Process of Storing, Maturing. and Preserving Whiskey and such like Liquors.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Process of Storing, Maturing. and Preserving
Whiskey and such like Liquors.
I, THOMAS TALBOT POWER, of John's Lane Distillery, Dublin, Ireland, Distiller,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to improvements in the storing, maturing and
preserving of whiskey and other spirits, in a simpler, more economical, and
efficient manner than hitherto so far as I am aware.
It is a fact well known to distillers that one of the best modes of storing,
maturing and preserving whiskey at present available, consists in placing the
vessels direct upon the ground, or natural earthen floor of any suitable building.
The naturally damp atmosphere thus procured is found to have the effect of
preventing evaporation of the spirits, and contributing materially to the process
of mellowing and maturing the liquor in a proper and efficient manner.
This plan suits admirably in country distilleries, and in cases where ground
space is plentiful, and inexpensive, but it is impracticable when dealing with
huge city distilleries where ground space is expensive, and vast numbers of vessels
have to be dealt with.
Storing on wooden floors is found to cause considerable evaporation-especially
in summer and to produce a harsh dryness unfavourable to the proper develop-
ment of the process.
Various remedies have been proposed to remedy this defect, for instance a layer
of earth is sometimes placed on the floor.
This remedy however is inconvenient inasmuch as, when the earth is sprinkled
it has a tendency to become muddy and otherwise objectionable.
Moistened saw-dust and analogous substances have also been tried and found
ineffectual owing to various objections.
Now my invention is designed to produce an efficient means whereby these
defects and inconveniences are entirely obviated, and whereby a convenient
method is afforded which will generate the necessary conditions in warehouses
of several stories in a manner equal to the luxury of the natural earthen floor.
To this end I propose to deal with warehouses which may be of any suitable
size and dimensions according to requirements, the floors of which I prefer to
construct of concrete or other analogous substance.
Wooden floors may be used but are not so suitable, as they are liable to be
injuriously affected by moisture.
Upon the concrete floors I place a layer or stratum of peat moss or peat mould,
and upon this the vessels containing the whiskey or other spirits are placed as
convenience may suggest.
The peat moss or peat mould is sprayed or sprinkled occasionaly so as to ensure
the necessary dampness.
By this means I find that a mildly damp, and warm artificial atmosphere is
produced in every way suitable to the best possible conditions, that no appreciable

page_text: evaporation of the spirits takes place, that the concrete or analogous floor is in no
way injured, and that furthermore the effect of the peat moss or peat mould is
deodorizing, anticeptive, and preservative, and that in fact all the required con-
ditions are attained in an economic, efficient and permanent manner.
Dated this 18th day of May 1898.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
Agents for Applicant, 9, Westland Row, Dublin.
Improvements in the Process of Storing, Maturing, and Preserving
Whiskey and such like Liquors.
I, THOMAS TALBOT POWER, of John's Lane Distillery, Dublin, Ireland, Distiller,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention has for its object improvements in the process hitherto adopted,
and the methods followed in packing, preserving, maturing and storing whiskey
and other spirits, and in the creation and maintaining of a moderately mild and
moist artificial atmosphere, and it relates to a novel method of using peat moss,
or peat mould, and concrete for the above purpose.
In describing my invention as hereinafter appears I desire the use of the
term "vessel" to include all sorts and sizes of wooden receptacles for the storing
of whiskey and other spirits, and the term "floor" to include the bottom of any
room or storey.
It is a fact well known to distillers that one of the best modes of storing and
maturing whiskey and other spirits is to place the vessels containing same upon
the ground or earthen natural floor of any suitable building.
The naturally damp atmosphere thus procured is found to prevent evaporation,
and to mellow and inature whiskey properly while the ground floor furnishes
a convenient medium for rolling or removing vessels.
This plan suits admirably in country distilleries when ground floor is plentiful
and cheap, but is impracticable in large city distilleries where space is limited,
and thousands of vessels have to be dealt with. Storing on wooden floors is found
to cause much evaporation in summer, and to produce a harsh dryness unfavour-
able to the proper developement of the process under consideration.
When it is sought to remedy this, the difficulties begin.
A layer of earth placed on the wooden floor does not suit, and if the earth is
wetted it produces inconvenient mud.
Sawdust and similar substances are not suitable for various reasons, and there
is no mode, that I am aware of, save the invention hereinafter described, whereby
a convenient floor, a suitable atmosphere, and a convenient and economic mode of
attaining the conditions in many storied warehouses can be obtained in any way
comparable to the luxury of the earthen floor.
In carrying out my invention I prefer a many storied building of suitable size
and dimensions but so designed that its floors are constructed of concrete or other
cognate substance.
Wooden floors are possible but not convenient, as when the wood is not covered
with the peat moss, the moisture may injuriously affect it.
I place upon the concrete floors a layer or stratum of peat moss, or peat mould,
and upon this the vessels containing the whiskey are placed as convenience may
Buggest.

page_text: When the peat is properly arranged and the vessels in situation, it is necessary
to spray or sprinkle occasionally the peat until the dampness attained is about
the same as that produced in an agricultural forcing bed when fit to grow seeds.
By this mode I find that a mildly damp, and warm artificial atmosphere is
produced, in every way suitable to the best possible conditions for maturing
whiskey, that no appreciable evaporation of the whiskey takes place, that the
concrete or other floor is in no way injured, that the presence of the peat produces
a deodorising, anticeptic and preservative effect, and that all the required con-
ditions for the purpose in view are attained in a economic, permanent, and satis-
factory manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
A new and improved method of using peat moss, or peat mould, and the like
material in combination with a concrete or other floor in order to produce and
maintain an artificial warm and damp atmosphere, most suitable to the proper
maturing and ripening of whiskey and other spirits, and thus attaining the only
combination of natural materials and arrangements by which it is possible to
properly conserve and mature spirits under the conditions which at present exist
in cities and other crowded places, substantially as herein specified and set forth.
Dated this 16th day of February 1899.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
Agents for Applicant, 9, Westland Row, Dublin.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
Agents for Applicant, 9, Westland Row, Dublin.