From Seed to Sip: Journeying into Whiskey and Weed Seed Cultivation

By Tia Moskalenko

For a long time, there has been a common misconception that whiskey and other forms of alcohol do not go well with cannabis products. Health professionals and weed experts alike have implored people to avoid mixing the two at any time.

After abundant studies and the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, people have been more inventive with using the two products. It is now common to find whiskey infused with CBD or THC oils at bars. Other than cocktails, production managers at various breweries are looking into ways to integrate hemp and cannabis seeds into their overall process.

Best Ways to Select High-Quality Hemp Seeds

In whichever endeavor, there is a need to utilize high-quality seeds for the idealized final product. Whether it is for growing cannabis plants, making edibles, or eating the seeds themselves, quality is everything. Some people look up how to sex marijuana plants https://askgrowers.com/blog/how-to-sex-a-marijuana-plant from websites such as  AskGrowers with a wide array of information. While sexing plants can produce high-quality seeds, not everyone can do the same.

Buying them is always an option for those looking for a quick fix for their seed needs. Before proceeding to buy the seeds, there are certain steps that you can take to ensure the quality of what you purchase. The following are some parameters that determine the quality of the seeds.

Color and Appearance

Mature and healthy cannabis seeds have a dark brown color with specks of light brown color. In some cases, the appearance resembles turtle shells or tiger stripes. The brown color can vary to shades of light brown. A problematic color on these hemp or marijuana seeds is green. If your seeds are green, that is a great indicator of low quality.

Shape and Size

Regarding the size, it is important to note that weed seeds come in all sizes. There are small-sized ones and larger ones that appear bloated. In both cases, this is not an indicator of the quality as they can be high quality regardless of the size. On matters to do with shape, it is easy to determine healthy ovules from non-healthy ones. A normal and healthy-looking seed takes the shape of a teardrop.

Texture

The texture of cannabis seeds is one of the major tell-tale signs of seed health and quality. Healthy hemp and weed ovules have a wax-like and glossy texture from mere inspection. They are shiny, and this outer glossy appearance protects the internal cotyledons and other sensitive seed parts.

Upon touching, these seeds should give a hard texture. They are low quality if soft and easily dent after a little pressure. High-quality ones are hard and do not dent even after applying much pressure.

Float Test

The float test is another easy way to determine whether your seeds are viable and healthy for planting or other needs. It involves placing the seeds in a tub of water and watching whether they float or sink. Any plant ovules that float are not viable for planting and are of low quality. The ones that sink are of better quality.

The Use of Hemp Seeds in Whiskey Production

As mentioned, there has been a widely held misconception that any cannabis or hemp product is unsuitable for mixing with alcohol. The idea was that the mixing would result in harmful side effects on the user. The legalization of hemp production in 2018 increased the use of various hemp products in different processes. One of them was the production of certain types of alcoholic beverages.

According to Ted Dumbauld, who founded SoNo 1420, incorporating hemp seed oil in their whiskey and bourbon production elevates the taste of the alcohol. Dumbauld offers that the inspiration to add hemp to whiskey came from managing a medical cannabis company and attending a conference. During the conference, he had the insightful idea of using hemp seeds to make a whiskey mash bill. After the conference, he made the bourbon and whiskey with a single still.

In describing the production process, Dumbauld offers that due to the nutty flavour of the hemp, their whiskey has a fuller and nutty finish. The process involves adding hemp seeds to their mash, fermenting it, and later distilling the same product. This process carries the integrity of the hemp seed and its nuttiness to the final product.

An attested to the superiority of these drinks is the number of awards the company has won so far. Their bourbon and rye whiskey have won silver medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Their rye whiskey also won the World’s Best 50 Rye Competition.

Other than whiskey and bourbon, there are other infusions of cannabis and hemp in vodka and other alcoholic drinks. Instead of using hemp seeds and flowers, these infusions use infused oils containing THC or CBD. The infused oils offer more texture and carry the cannabinoid flavor, which is present in the final alcoholic drink.

How Marijuana Cocktails Work

Distilled hemp whiskey and bourbon aside, there is also a rise in marijuana cocktails at bars and other establishments. The key to making an ideal cocktail is ensuring all the ingredients complement each other. None should overpower the other in flavour or strength. The same rule applies to cannabis and hemp cocktails.

Mixologists use tinctures and oils in their cocktail-making as they are readily available and easy to use. It is important to note that the base alcohol will likely react with the CBD or THC in the tinctures or oils. Oils are less likely to integrate into the alcohol compared to tinctures.

If you want a seamless cannabis and alcohol cocktail, the best thing to use is a weed tincture. The tincture with an alcoholic base will integrate into the alcohol fully and offer a comprehensive flavour. If you want a distinctive cannabis and alcohol taste, marijuana or hemp oil is more suitable. It offers a distinctive taste of the two separate ingredients.

Other than the tinctures or oils and alcohol, you can also add to the flavour of your cocktail with other ingredients. The only thing you need to ensure is that the flavours align with that of your tincture. Due to the various terpenes, a tincture or oil can have a skunky flavour, a fruity one, tropical hints, spicy ones, and more.

Another thing to note is that whiskey and cannabis cocktails are more famous. This popularity is because of the base flavour of the whiskey in the first place. Its rich flavour accommodates the fullness and nutty flavour of hemp and cannabis products. Though marijuana cocktails can utilize different types of alcohol, starting with whiskey or bourbon is always safer. Also, ensure you are aware of the ingredient’s potencies and underlying flavours so that they complement each other wholesomely.

Frequently Asked Questions on Mixing Whiskey and Weed

Now that we have looked at the general use of hemp seed, hemp seed oil, THC and CBD tinctures and oils in alcoholic distilleries and cocktails, it is only right to address the frequently asked questions. The following are the major ones.

Is it safe to use CBD/ THC while drinking alcohol?

Yes. In the right potency and with the right ingredients, CBD/THC alcohol elevates your drinking experience.

What are some possible side effects of mixing weed and alcohol?

Taking too much weed and alcohol can have negative side effects. Alcohol can enhance the impact of weed, and it can also lead to an overdose.

Are CBD/THC whiskey cocktails good?

Yes. They are good and flavourful when made with the right ingredients and proportions. Users report getting a wholesome flavour.

Is it legal to buy hemp-infused alcohol?

Yes. After passing the 2018 Farm Bill, it is legal to buy any hemp products as long as they do not contain more than 0.3% THC.

What to note when using cannabis-infused alcohol?

The potency and ingredients are everything. Highly potent drinks can result in adverse side effects. Ensure to buy from reputable brands with stated CBD/THC and alcoholic levels.

Conclusion

Anyone keen on the cannabis industry journey has probably seen warnings about mixing weed with alcoholic drinks. These claims have since gotten refuted, with experts showing that in the right amounts, marijuana products elevate alcohol use. Hemp and weed seeds offer a more intense flavour that gets transferred to the final alcoholic drinks. Regardless of the safety, people should strive to use the two products in their right potency and alcoholic levels. That way, they can avoid any harmful side effects from taking too many infused alcoholic drinks.

Tia Moskalenko wrote this article. Moskalenko is a well-versed contributor to the AskGrowers website. Her insight on different topics provides a wide array of information that our readers can benefit from, whether they are mere users or cannabis growers.