Flocking and Filtering

BENEFICIAL BYPRODUCTS
Byproducts normally have a negative connotation, but not all byproducts are bad. In whisky, for instance, fatty acids, esters and proteins are byproducts of every whisky’s distillation and aging process - and while you would not normally even know they are there, they start to appear when the spirit is chilled, or even when water is added to the spirit. The sudden appearance is the result of the “byproduct” molecules moving out of solution, and becoming apparent to the naked eye.
Now, some people may not like this, so the process of chill filtering and flocking are used to remove the byproducts and create a clear spirit, with little molecules all in their place!
But what do these byproducts actually do? I hear you ask! They provide texture, mouth feel and a quality finish and enhance the flavour of the whisky, being that they are part of the whisky itself it’s all completely natural.

WHAT IS FLOCKING?
Flocking is the process of the byproducts above moving out of solution and combining (or flocking) together (ala birds of a feather). Flocking generally occurs when the spirit is chilled or when water is added. As the byproducts flock together, they all sink to the bottom of the container and remain there until disposed of. The flock is very sensitive, so slightly touching the container could cause the flock to move and need time to settle again. Flocking using water can sometimes take a number of months.

WHAT IS CHILL FILTERING?
Chill Filtering is the process of flocking whisky by putting the spirit into a tank and cooling it to between -10 and 4 degrees Celcius, and then running it through a fine filter. As the flock is “clumped up”, it is easily filtered out of the whisky in this step.

NON-CHILL FILTERED
That is essentially what is says - a whisky that has been bottled without undergoing chill filtration. This does not necessarily mean that it hasn’t been flocked, however, as flocking can also occur by breaking down the whisky (adding water).

SO WHAT DO WE DO HERE AT DRIFTERS END?
We neither chill filter, nor do we flock. Here at Drifters End we want you to have the full flavour experience of the whisky, as it was made. That does mean, however, if you take a bottle down to Antarctica, it may go cloudy or you may see some particles floating in the bottle. But that’s ok, just go ahead and sip away as you normally would! You may also find some sediment in the bottle if it sits on the shelf for long enough - but it’s ok - it’s meant to be that way.

If you have any questions about this, please feel free to get in touch!