Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

-Toast the flaked oats at 325 in oven for 1 hour to achieve a light brown toast; stir occasionally to prevent burning. Best to do this a few days ahead of time and lets oats rest in brown paper bag to de-gas.

-Turbinado sugar addition will go into fermenter after a few days of primary fermentation (adding sugar up front can cause the yeast to work on these sugars first, which may slow down fermentation of more complex sugars from the mash; additionally, early additions may push out aromas during vigorous active fermentation). Invert the sugar by mixing the sugar in ratio of 3:1 by weight with water (3 parts sugar / 1 part water). Bring to a boil until sugar completely dissolved. Add 1 tsp lemon juice and simmer until sugar solution turns clear.

-After mixing it with water, the sugar will be wet and slushy. Add low to medium heat to begin dissolving. Slow, gentle, even application of heat is the best way to avoid the biggest issue with syrup-making: crystallization. You want to go slowly enough to make sure all crystals disappear into solution before the syrup boils.

-Steep spices (1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp fresh grated nutmeg, 1/4 tsp whole cloves, and 1 split and scraped vanilla bean) in 6 fl oz. bourbon for at least a week until time to keg (mason jar; shake occasionally). Strain bourbon and add to keg to taste (between 3-5 oz).

-Split, scrape, and toss in everything from the bean including the husk