Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for the accelerated aging of beverages, including distilled spirits are disclosed. A spirit is aged through a modular approach that targets development of individual sensory characteristics. In one embodiment, a spirit undergoes ultrasonic cavitation in the presence of wood chips, heating in the presence of wood chips, ultrasonic cavitation without wood chips, heating without wood chips, and intermittent aeration. The process is operable to produce a highly customized spirit and achieve a taste, bouquet, and color similar to that of traditionally aged spirits.

Abstract: A bumper pad (3) for a crib (4) having vertical support posts (10) and a mattress (20) includes flexible padding (26) extending around the interior boundary of the crib to form a cushioned bumper along the periphery of the mattress and a plastic canvas stiffener (32) extending from the underside of the flexible padding. The stiffener fits tightly into the space between the mattress and the crib to provide support for the padding and to prevent the child from inserting his/her limbs between the bumper and the mattress. A cover (34) encases the padding and the stiffener and tie strings (42) secure the cover to the vertical support posts of the crib. Alternatively, the stiffener need not be fixed to the padding; in this case, the cover has an opening (50) to allow removal of the stiffener for washing or other purposes.