bourbon barrel aged syrup (in New York State)

[maple flats]

I'm now aging some syrup in once used bourbon barrels. In preparation for packaging and selling it, I have some questions. Specifically in New York State, What information is required on the label? I'm just designing a label to put on my bottles and want to meet any requirements. The syrup should be ready in 1-2 months so I need to get the labels designed and ordered soon.
I was thinking I''d have
volume
my name and information
"BOURBON BARREL AGED MAPLE SYRUP"
and "may contain a trace to less than 2% alcohol"

Should I have anything else? Do I need to submit a sample for testing to meet the alcohol statement? If so, to who?

I drained what little bourbon that was in each barrel before filling, it was a vary tiny amount out of any of the barrels, thus any alcohol was trapped in the char in the oak barrels.

Thanks for any help,
Dave

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

Dave, I think you have the bases covered. There is specific directives from Ag and Markets that I don't have in front of me right now. Give Helen Thomas a call tomorrow at the state office and she can fill you in for sure. 315-877-5795. We are looking for consignors to the State Fair if you are interested.

[maple flats]

I should have thought to call her yesterday. The memo she sent out 6/16 said the office will be closed starting today, thru 7/5/17. I may wait to call her on the 6th.
As for consignments to the State Fair, I will be sold out before Christmas, can't consign any or I'd be out in Sept or early Oct. As it is I may not be able to meet my Christmas orders and I do not buy bulk to re-pack. I only did that 1 year, and while the syrup was OK it definately was not what my customers had come to expect. I truly believe different soils produce different tastes. I like being sold out, but just before the new season starts.

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

Dave,
Try her today, she said they were leaving the first thing Friday Morning.
Doug

[amaranth farm]

Radio Silence.

[Moser's Maple]

I believe to be 100% "legal" you have to send out your product to be analyzed for alcohol content and other traces that may come from the bourbon barrel. Basically if you put on the label it contains less than 2% alcohol, you better have the paperwork to back it up.

[maple maniac65]

What would happen to the syrup let's say a fifth of bourbon was put in a five gallon wooden barrell and packed with hot syrup. Would it ferment or would it turn into something that is very likable.

[maple flats]

I did reach Helen at The NYS Maple Producer's office yesterday. She referred me to 2 articles published in "The Pipeline" the association newsletter. She also sent me an email with he 2 articles attached. If any NY producers want a copy PM me your email address and I'll forward her email to you.
One is by Helen Parker, director of NY maple producers and the other is from NY Ag & Mkts.
I will be putting mine into 200 ML (6.7628 oz)glass bottles and I think I'll sell them for $12 each.
If they do real well the price may climb a little, if they sell too slow, it may drop.

[S.S.S]

What are people using the bourbon syrup for?

[maple maniac65]

Mixed drinks at high end bars. I like it on ice cream.

[maple flats]

Jake, I read the letter from Ag & Markets that was in a recent issue of The Pipeline and they mention nothing about having the product tested. I have ordered labels from a local print shop with all the information Helen and Ag & Markets said should be on the label. When I get them back, I'll post a picture of what I had printed.
I'm putting it in 200 ml (6.67 fl oz) glass and I'm going to start with a $12.00 price. After my first batch, I'll decide if the price is right, too low or too high based on how well it sells. I'm thinking maybe a quantity discount but haven't decided on that yet (maybe 6 or more @ $11.00 or something like that.)
My understanding is that much of it is used for ice cream topping, coffee sweetener and things like that. Bourbon Barrel Aged maple Syrup might not only be for breakfast anymore.
I've been told that it sells out rather quickly, but that's from producers who do farmer's markets, I don't anymore. Time will tell.

[Super Sapper]

Doing the math you would need 13 ounces of 100 proof bourbon left in a 5 gallon keg to have 2% alcohol in it. Seeing as alcohol boils off at 173 degrees F, there should be nothing left after heating to bottle.

[Moser's Maple]

Jake, I read the letter from Ag & Markets that was in a recent issue of The Pipeline and they mention nothing about having the product tested. I have ordered labels from a local print shop with all the information Helen and Ag & Markets said should be on the label. When I get them back, I'll post a picture of what I had printed.
I'm putting it in 200 ml (6.67 fl oz) glass and I'm going to start with a $12.00 price. After my first batch, I'll decide if the price is right, too low or too high based on how well it sells. I'm thinking maybe a quantity discount but haven't decided on that yet (maybe 6 or more @ $11.00 or something like that.)
My understanding is that much of it is used for ice cream topping, coffee sweetener and things like that. Bourbon Barrel Aged maple Syrup might not only be for breakfast anymore.
I've been told that it sells out rather quickly, but that's from producers who do farmer's markets, I don't anymore. Time will tell.
Sorry Dave. I was just going off what was being recommended to the first producers that started marketing the bourbon syrup. Didn't realize new literature was out by ag and markets.

[Urban Sugarmaker]

Doing the math you would need 13 ounces of 100 proof bourbon left in a 5 gallon keg to have 2% alcohol in it. Seeing as alcohol boils off at 173 degrees F, there should be nothing left after heating to bottle.

This makes me feel better. Thank you.

[MapleCamp]

I just filled a 5 gallon barrel and got wondering, what do you do between batches? With limited access to clean the barrel what do you bourbon barrel syrup ages do after emptying the barrel. I wold hate to have mold move in.

[maple flats]

It's my understanding the barrels are only good for one use to make bourbon barrel aged maple syrup. Then I will be cutting them in half and selling them as planters, coffee tables or stools.

[jmayerl]

I just filled a 5 gallon barrel and got wondering, what do you do between batches? With limited access to clean the barrel what do you bourbon barrel syrup ages do after emptying the barrel. I wold hate to have mold move in.

I consider the barrels a one time use. The high sugar content will breed bacteria almost instantly. My barrels are all spoken for months before I empty them.

[maple maniac65]

Why can't they be washed out with steam, charred again then more bourbon put in them.

[maple flats]

Try it and report back. The barrels I use were used recently to make bourbon, I do not add any bourbon, in fact I drain any residue that is in the bbl, then I fill it with hot maple syrup. The flavor that is gotten in the maple syrup comes from what little bourbon there is in the char. I drain any liquid bourbon out so the alcohol content is very low. Each barrel seems to contain a varying amount of bourbon even though they were emptied. It was likely in the char and ran out after the barrel was emptied at the distillery.
According to what I read in the letter from NYS Ag and Markets, you can make bourbon barrel aged maple syrup by either adding maple syrup only to a bourbon barrel, or by adding the maple syrup and a small amount of bourbon in the barrel. I'm just trying the first method at this time.

[jmayerl]

Why can't they be washed out with steam, charred again then more bourbon put in them.
Because then the ends would need to be removed and the barrels rebuilt and also the integrity of the barrel would be lost with another 15 minute char.

[MapleCamp]

I may try rinsing with bourbon and filling immediately after bottling. Id like to get at least 2 batches. Its too pretty to make a planter out of. I might try aging some of my honey,maple,apple mead in it.:cool:

[maple flats]

I haven't done any planters yet, but based on the price I saw some bigger ones made into planters at TSC I think I can recover my cost from buying the barrels. At least I'm going to try. Hopefully my wife doesn't then use them all and I end up recovering nothing.

[S.S.S]

How do you test alcohol content in bourbon maple syrup?

[maple maniac65]

Sample the product. Sample some more