[erockrph]

This was a very interesting read. I don't see technology like this necessarily replacing traditional aged spirits, but it certainly would provide an avenue to enable new distillers to get into the picture a lot more easily:

http://www.wired.com/2015/04/lost-spirits/

[HoosierBrew]

Pretty interesting. I'd read references to this, but without much detail. It'll be interesting to see what kind of impact it has on the industry. Like you say, it could be huge for start up distilleries. Or others.

[reverseapachemaster]

If he figured it out as a hobbyist with the help of a biochemist then he has to know the larger distilleries and other players in the market will have no trouble replicating his efforts--if they really work.

The problem with looking at merely the oak compounds in the spirit is that it ignores some of the other processes involved. Maybe it hits all the right notes so well that it either legitimately emulates aged spirits or emulates them so well the difference will be impossible to overlook for the majority of buyers. OTOH it could be like liquid smoke: tastes like smoke initially but quickly devolves into a fake chemical taste.

[tumarkin]

This is NOT the first system touted to age spirits really quickly. However, his Lost Spirits products have gotten quite good reviews (disclaimer - I haven't had the chance to try them myself) so I'd be a little more inclined to give a try to his products made with this system.

[dkfick]

I'm sure it makes for an interesting product... I'm also sure it's not the equivalent of aging long term on wood.