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.