Barrel-Aged Vinegar
Vinegars in this collection have been aged in American oak barrels formerly used for rye whiskey production. Barrel aging gives vinegars a mellower flavor profile but does not impart particularly woody or whiskey flavor. We use small, 25 gallon barrels sourced directly from a craft distillery in upstate New York.
Barrel-Aged Vinegar
What does barrel-aged mean?
Barrel-aged means that we age our vinegar in wooden barrels over an extended period to develop deep, complex flavors. This process allows the vinegar to interact with the wood, absorbing subtle nuances and enriching its taste profile. By carefully selecting barrels made from specific types of wood, such as oak or cherry, we can impart unique characteristics to the vinegar, such as hints of vanilla, caramel, or smoke.
The aging process not only mellows the acidity but also enhances the overall richness and smoothness of the vinegar. We take pride in this traditional method, as it exemplifies our commitment to quality and craftsmanship, resulting in a premium product that stands out in both flavor and sophistication.
How is barrel-aged vinegar different?
Barrel-aged vinegar stands out from standard vinegars due to its complex flavor profile, which is achieved through a meticulous aging process in wooden barrels. This method allows the vinegar to absorb subtle nuances from the wood, adding depth and richness that can’t be found in quick-fermented varieties. Over time, the vinegar develops a smooth, well-rounded taste with layers of sweetness, acidity, and occasionally even hints of vanilla or caramel, depending on the type of wood used.
The aging process also often results in a thicker, more robust texture, enhancing its versatility in culinary applications. Whether drizzled over salads, used in marinades, or as a finishing touch to elevate gourmet dishes, barrel-aged vinegar offers a superior quality that transforms ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences.
How should I use vinegar?
Just about everywhere other than breakfast cereal. Really.
Everyone knows that vinegars are essential for vinaigrettes, oil and vinegar salad dressings. But, with a little experimentation, you will see that acid is what was missing from many of your dishes.
You can marinate meats using vinegar, brighten up sauces, season roasted vegetables, make cocktails, even bake with it (google vinegar pie).
The key is to use vinegar sparingly and to adjust flavors slowly by tossing in just a dash or two at a time.
Let customers speak for us
from 1359 reviewsWhen we received our first bottle of Red Wine Vinegar, we blind tasted against 3 other well-reputed brands. American Vinegar Works offering was in a class of its own and far superior to the others we tasted.
Love all of my purchases!!
I am an aspiring saucier. That is to say that I make 2 to 3 feeble attempts to improve the mundane dishes that we "go-to" every other week by trying to pair a sauce with them. Since I have tried AVW in making these sauces now, it makes a world of difference. No kidding....it is like coparing a frozen bulk steak out of the back of the freezer to a USDA Premium butcher select steak. If I put the same exact sauce next to one I make using AVW....no blindfold necessary. Every time.
Have only used it on salad so far but loved the flavor it added to the salad along with a virgin olive oil from Greece.
Usually when I make a small amount of vinaigrette I can't use only red wine vinegar because it's too sharp without any counterpoint of flavor. But with this red wine vinegar my vinaigrette didn't need anything to cut the sharpness because the product is so exceptionally good by itself!
Recently picked some up to try in my favorite dressing recipe. This vinegar is a cut above the rest.
I re-ordered Apple Cider Vinegar from American Cider Works (ACW) because I ran out. Yep, it’s that good! I can tell the difference between ACW & ‘store-bought’ and once I tried it - we were spoiled - or fermented. I don’t have the poetry to describe the differences but I jnow it when I taste it and ACW Vinegars are worth it. I have other ACW vinegars but that Apple Cider is special to me. That’s why I keep buying it.
This is going to be a gift, so I can’t comment on the vinegars. The entire package is first quality. Well packaged.
We’ve tried several of American Vinegar Works’ products and found them quite exceptional. No other malt vinegar is good enough when fish & chips are on the menu. Highly recommended!
Tried it on fish and chips, because, why not? Taste is excellent, more complex than the mass-produced stuff. I donI have three more flavors to try, but I strongly suspect they will also be a big improvement. Amazing what people come up with to create to enhance the cooking and eating experience.
love the flavor and smoothness of it. i use it for many things, salad dressings, roast vegetables . o woud recommend your products to anyone.
This vinegar is delicate, flavorful, and simply lovely. The bottle it came in is pretty, and we also received a card full of vinegar recipes. Our first use of it was to dress the last of our garden tomatoes along with some sea salt, ground black pepper, and a small drizzle of olive oil. This treatment made both the vinegar and tomatoes shine. Thank you to the makers of this vinegar, and I look forward to trying more of your products!
I have always loved vinegar, but yours are the best. Your Ramp Wine Vinegar is fantastic. The base vinegar is wonderful in itself, but something about the ramp infusion makes it absolutely divine! I have to be careful not to just drink it. Kudos!
This is a wonderful vinegar and perfect if you want to sip it straight. By the time I went to reorder it was sold out but they give you an option to reorder when it comes back in. I got notified and bought another batch for myself and others! Get a bottle or two while it’s available. You won’t be sorry!
This is my second year of buying this. Ramps are scarce and seasonal. I was a tad skeptical last year so I bought one. Not this year. This is a wonderful vinegar with an amazing number of uses in all kinds of situations. Potato salad, egg salad, pickled red onion, bernaise sauce, and so many others.