Abstract: Systems for expedited aging include exposing wood pieces to an alcohol-containing fluid with any one or more of pressure, vacuum and music. Swelling characteristics of the wood pieces may be measured. One or more fluid properties may be measured during the process to determine endpoints. Some process endpoints may be based upon any one or more of taste and aroma attributes, via a flavor profile or aroma profile, respectively. Diminishing change in the fluid property over time may indicate an endpoint to the process; or by comparison to the properties of an external reference.

Abstract: Expedited aging processes include intermittently exposing an alcohol-containing fluid to any one or more of pressure, vacuum and music. One or more fluid properties may be measured during the process to determine endpoints. Some process endpoints may be based upon any one or more of taste and aroma attributes, via a flavor profile or aroma profile, respectively. Diminishing change in the fluid property over time may indicate an endpoint to the process; or by comparison to the properties of an external reference.

Abstract: Systems include a feed section, one or more treatment sections and circulating sections. A treatment section may have vessels or one or more treatment cartridges, which may be filled with wood pieces. Processes include feeding and circulating fluid in a system, holding pressure or vacuum in one or more treatment cartridges with or without fluid, repeating steps, and monitoring one or more fluid physical properties during the process to determine endpoints. Process end points may be based upon any one or more of taste and aroma attributes, changes in the fluid property over time, or by comparison to the properties of an external reference. The vessels and cartridges may be changed during operations.