Time and Oak

Portland’s Time and Oak is going national. They make laser-​processed oak wood units that you can put in alcoholic spirits for flavoring. The laser creates a thin layer of charcoal.
Many spirits are aged in oak barrels which have been flame charred. Brewer supply shops have oak wood shavings to flavor batches.
Time and Oak provides consumers, everyday people, charcoal and smoked oak wood pieces to flavor distilled spirits and wine at home.
For distilled spirits, each small oak piece is recommended for three 750ml bottles, 24 hours each. In a neutral spirit the oak is a little spicy, but not a tannin flavor, and the charcoal gives a mild smoothness.
Time and Oak and you are ahead of national brewers like Absolut using charred oak for flavoring.
Their units are available at Portland’s Made Here PDX across from Powell’s, Pearl Spirits, online and more.