The present invention is directed to a process for rapidly aging alcoholic
beverages and to the beverages produced by the process. During the
process, a consumable alcoholic feedstock is contacted with ultrasonic
energy at a power of at least about 3 Watts/liter. If desired, a variety
of flavorants can also be contacted with the alcohol and ultrasonic
energy in order to flavor the beverage. The energy can push the
maturation chemistry of the alcohol to completion quickly and produce a
consumable product which is unique in characterization and can have
flavor and smoothness surpassing that of consumable alcohols aged in
slower, more traditional processes.