I have a new barrel now wot

[Uncle Jesse]

from the old message boards:


monk
05/24/04 01:43 AM
subject: i have a new barrell now wot

yes i just got a new barrell from ibrew {25 ltr) .now i have enough stilled spirit to put in it ,do i put the esence in first,or do i put the watered spirit in and when i want in time add the essencess as i take from the barrell. whot is the metherd here? all help is always apprciated...cheeres!


Fourway
05/24/04 01:46 PM
Re: i have a new barrell now wot [re: monk]

generally folks dont combine the use of essences with barrel conditioning.

not that you can't or should not do it, just that it defies a number of conventions.

most folks who use essences are trying to duplicate the flavor that would come from barrel conditioning using various additives and flavorings.

most folks who barrel condition are trying to achieve their target flavor by duplicating the actual process used to arrive at that flavor.

Even folks who do both don't generally tend to combine them... and most folks who've managed to come by a real whisky taste honestly (by barrel conditioning and distilling for flavors) aren't much interested in whiskey essences but may still use essences for liqueuers and suchlike.

pretty much any spirit you can make will benefit from a rest in an oak barrel, even neutral polished spirit will flourish in a good barrel.

don't dilute much past around %60 abv if you want the barrel spirit interaction to be optimum.

if your barrel is varnished sand the varnish off and soak it for a few days before you fill it... also rinse it out with a few fillings of boiling water (lots of small charred and uncharred barrels have wax inside even though they claim not to)

"Dad was a drunk with a fishing problem". --Ben Willis


Blanchy
05/28/04 02:21 PM
Re: i have a new barrell now wot [re: monk]

Monk,

I assume that you have already filled the barrel with water and let it soak until it quits leaking. Depending on what you are making, you can refill it with baking soda solution and let that sit to get extra tannin out. Then rinse it good a couple of times and fill with spirit.

Chuck


Anonymous
05/30/04 04:06 AM
Re: i have a new barrell now wot [re: Blanchy]

ok i been away so thank you once again for the help.i fill stupid for not knowing the ovious about the keg.im new!! and a little confused ,i thought you could only make the wiskey flavour from a propper mash.a little misimformed.i do suger washes thats why i thought you added the essences.(im glad for you guys-and gals). i have not yet put any spirit in there yet and i have only just put the water in to seal the barrell. i have alot of 85% of sprit though. i do as instucted by you all though and am shaw to get a good resalt ... i will let you know how i went . ..........have a few sips for luck!!


stranger
06/02/04 12:20 AM
Re: i have a new barrell now wot [re: Fourway]

fourway. ive read your imfo an was puzzeld buy your advice to sand my barrel,sooo i looked througt this web sight on barrell flavouring.my question is why do i sand the barrell?.

is it because it helps the barrel prosess ,evaparating through the staves...


Fourway
06/02/04 12:37 AM
Re: i have a new barrell now wot [re: stranger]

yes.. a real whisky barrel is not varnished. the varnish changes the character of the barrel.

"Dad was a drunk with a fishing problem". --Ben Willis


theholymackerel
06/02/04 06:17 AM
Re: i have a new barrell now wot [re: Fourway]

I have a bunch of 3, 5, and 10 liter barrels. They all came varnished. I sanded 'em all long ago except two of 'em.

The two left varnished are for my fruit brandies. I like to age my brandies at 140+proof. At that high strength alcohol loss to evaporation is extreme. The varnished barrels don't breathe as good, but they don't have as much evaporation loss either.