Cheesecloth often contains lint so was it rinsed well several times first to remove all the lint? Then was it really well soaked in the bourbon or other liquor before wrapping the cake and then wrapped in plastic or foil so it doesn't dry out?

Dave

no...I didn't do any of those things....as soon as my cakes came out of the oven, I cooled, them and started in with the basting....I didn't wrap them until the next day and I wrapped them with dry cloth, then basted generously.....so I guess the secret is to really dampen them first....thx...

but I did wrap in plastic and then foil after I took the cheesecloth off...

Cool fully before any basting or it ends up too wet and never wrap with dry cheese cloth. You can take a pastry brush and dip it in your liquor of choice to brush off any lint. Keep dipping it while brushing.

Dave

thx....I've decided to invest in some good unbleached muslin as well....Merry Christmas....