Proofing with Purpose: The Water-Driven Craft

At Windows Distillery, we don’t believe in “just good enough.” Every decision we make—from the barrels we select to the way we manage time—is rooted in craftsmanship. But there’s one step that many overlook, one that quietly defines the flavor of our spirits:

Proofing.

It’s not glamorous and it doesn’t get much attention. But at Windows, proofing is where science meets intuition and where water becomes a storyteller.

What Is Proofing?

In simple terms, proofing is the process of reducing the alcohol content of a distilled spirit by adding water. Most whiskies come off the still at a higher ABV (alcohol by volume) than what’s found in the bottle. Bringing that strength down to the final “proof” (typically between 90–120, depending on the expression) is essential—but how you do it makes all the difference.

Fast proofing gets the job done. Slow proofing creates something unforgettable.

Why Water Matters

To most, water is just another step before packaging and shipping out their brew. To us, it’s an ingredient with influence.

At Windows Distillery, we start with locally sourced municipal water—but that’s only the beginning. We mineral-adjust and filter it in-house, tuning the water’s profile to match the character of the spirit it will join. Then comes the real secret: we add that water directly into the finishing barrel—not in a tank, not in a steel vat.

Why? Because spirit and wood are still in conversation. When proofing water is introduced inside the cask, the interaction between alcohol, oak, and oxygen continues. The result is integration, not dilution.

Slow Proofing: Time is the Final Ingredient

Rather than flooding a barrel with water and walking away, we introduce it gradually over weeks or months. This slow process—what we call Barrel Proof Integration—allows the alcohol and water to blend gently, preserving the subtle esters and aromatics that would otherwise be lost to shock.

This approach results in a whiskey with:

• Enhanced texture: A silkier mouthfeel from natural emulsification.
  
• Deeper flavor: Layers of spice, fruit, and wood unfold slowly on the palate.
  
• Longer finish: Integration leads to balance—and balance lingers.
  

Proof of Our Process: Windows Whiskey

You can taste this philosophy in every bottle of Windows whiskey—especially in our Gin and Rye brews. These spirits didn’t just rest in barrels; they evolved in them, with proofing water acting as both conductor and catalyst.

Our proofing method is patient. Purposeful. Relentlessly hands-on.

Because we don’t just aim for the right number—we aim for the right feeling. That warmth in the chest, that echo of wood and fire on the tongue, that quiet moment after a sip when the spirit keeps speaking.

Proof Is More Than a Number

At Windows Distillery, we’ve redefined what it means to proof a spirit. We don’t chase efficiency. We search for harmony in our brews. When the water is right, and the timing is respected, the spirit becomes more than alcohol, it becomes an experience.

A Journey from Grain to Glass

At Windows Distillery, every bottle we produce is crafted with intention and care. Each new flavor that emerges from our casks is the result of a meticulous process—where tradition meets innovation. We carefully select, blend, and age each batch, ensuring that every note of flavor has been thoughtfully developed and thoroughly tested. The result is a harmonious balance of taste and character in every bottle. This is our process:

Mashing & Fermentation

The mash and fermentation lay the groundwork for the spirit that we’re aiming to create. We start by milling grain to just the right texture, then mix it with water and heat it to unlock the grain’s natural enzymes. Fermentation follows, giving yeast the time it needs to break down the mash into alcohol and solidify the overall flavor that the liquor will have. Each wash is a mix of timing, and intuition that sets the tone for everything that comes next.

Stills

Stills are the vessel used to separate alcohol from water and impurities through heating and condensation. Which provide a distinct foundation for the flavor profile of each liquor, before it reaches the cask.

• Column stills hum continuously, delivering a clean, consistent base.
  
• Pot stills allow our distillers to make the artistic cuts—heads, hearts, tails—infusing complexity and artisan signature.
  
• We operate eleven stills from across four countries and five U.S. states, selecting the perfect one for each expression.
  

Casks

Barrels are more than containers; they’re a crucial step to infuse a natural flavor and scent to the liquor. We meticulously choose new American oak barrels, specifying toast levels and char depth, often double-barreling for complexity. Whether bourbon, rum, or gin, the timber’s origin and treatment deeply influence flavor and mouthfeel.

Smoke

Smoke is used in the pre-aging process, and is sometimes added as a finishing flourish to the flavor profile of each bottle. Once aging is complete, we expose select barrels to carefully chosen smoke to add layers without overpowering. It is a unique twist to the tradition of smoking the liquor before bottling. Through this post-distillation ritual, Windows spirits gain an enhanced flavor.

Water

Our proofing water is never an afterthought—it’s the final, essential step in bringing each bottle to life. We start with clean, municipal water, then carefully adjust its mineral content and pH to suit the character of the spirit. Once it’s just right, we introduce it slowly, allowing the water and spirit to come together over several weeks in cask. It’s a slow process, but one that preserves the integrity and subtlety of the flavor. Rushing it, in our view, only flattens something that should be full of depth.

Aging & Finishing

A spirit’s true identity is shaped in the barrel—and finalized with care. Aging is followed by finishing touches like smoke infusions or a secondary barrel resting. Each intervention is deliberate, fostering balance and unfolding character.

Why It Matters

At Windows Distillery, we avoid shortcuts. Our process is a fusion of science and creativity—where water is shaped, smoke is layered, stills are selected with purpose, and barrels serve as collaborators. The result isn’t just consistency—it’s authenticity: spirits that speak of place, process, and passion.

From grain to glass, every decision matters. Dive deeper with us—and taste the difference intentional craftsmanship makes.