Aging

Post here whats not safe to do or use.

Moderator: Site Moderator

Post Reply
todd78d
Novice
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Jul 28, 2019 12:48 pm

Aging

Post by todd78d »

Has anybody put there Oak barrel in a plastic bag to cut down on the evaporation? I had 75% evaporate in a 2 liter barrel in 1 year. And no it was not leaking.
User avatar
nerdybrewer
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 1642
Joined: Thu Jan 23, 2014 3:00 pm
Location: Pacific Northwest

Re: Aging

Post by nerdybrewer »

Environmental conditions and the size of the barrel and the proof of the spirit are all factors.
You are asking if you can control the environment by sealing up the barrel in a bag.
You can change the environment, you may gain ground in terms of loss to Angels Share however that's probably not your biggest problem.
2L is a very small barrel.
If I were to try that I might take the spirit out at 3 or 4 months and bottle it.
Others here who use or have used small barrels can add their $0.02 of course.
Cranky's spoonfeeding:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=52975

Time and Oak will sort it out.
WithOrWithoutU2
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 502
Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2018 6:10 pm

Re: Aging

Post by WithOrWithoutU2 »

As NB has already said, 12+months in a 2L may be a too long. I've not used barrels yet, but from what I have read it is really important to get them soaked and swollen before you put your likker in it. I've also read people using beeswax to help with barrel that give too much to the angels. I would think the beeswax would be better than plastic wrap as the evaporation may still happen in the bag, but the vapors may condensate on it.
User avatar
Saltbush Bill
Site Mod
Posts: 9675
Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2011 2:13 am
Location: Northern NSW Australia

Re: Aging

Post by Saltbush Bill »

The smaller the barrel the faster the angels drink from it ....that simple. Dont leave your booze in there for so long ....or top it up occasionally with more new make. The lower the level of spirit in the barrel the quicker the angels drink too.
2L barrel only 1/2 full , the angels would have been in party mode.
todd78d
Novice
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Jul 28, 2019 12:48 pm

Re: Aging

Post by todd78d »

Thank for all the reply’s.
I did top it off a few times in the first 4 months but not after that. This time I’ll bottle it at 4 months.
User avatar
bluefish_dist
Distiller
Posts: 1502
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2015 10:13 am
Location: Eastern Ia

Re: Aging

Post by bluefish_dist »

Use a bigger barrel. Small barrels 1-2 L are almost useless as they have too much surface area and you lose too much to evaporation. Go for a 2.5-5 gallon barrel and you can get a year without losing most of what went in.
Formerly
Dsp-CO-20051
User avatar
nerdybrewer
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 1642
Joined: Thu Jan 23, 2014 3:00 pm
Location: Pacific Northwest

Re: Aging

Post by nerdybrewer »

bluefish_dist wrote: Tue May 12, 2020 5:44 am Use a bigger barrel. Small barrels 1-2 L are almost useless as they have too much surface area and you lose too much to evaporation. Go for a 2.5-5 gallon barrel and you can get a year without losing most of what went in.
I started with 5 gallon, went up to 8 and was amazed at how much more work it seemed like it was to fill it.
Then I got some 15 gallon once used Bourbon barrels.
Talk about work, 15 gallons, wow!
Cranky's spoonfeeding:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=52975

Time and Oak will sort it out.
User avatar
Saltbush Bill
Site Mod
Posts: 9675
Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2011 2:13 am
Location: Northern NSW Australia

Re: Aging

Post by Saltbush Bill »

nerdybrewer wrote: Tue May 12, 2020 2:42 pm Talk about work, 15 gallons, wow
The best thing about big barrels is that it takes a fair bit of " work" to empty them to. :)
User avatar
rubberduck71
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 735
Joined: Sat May 30, 2020 11:22 am
Location: Eastern PA

Re: Aging

Post by rubberduck71 »

Saltbush Bill wrote: Tue May 12, 2020 6:31 pm
nerdybrewer wrote: Tue May 12, 2020 2:42 pm Talk about work, 15 gallons, wow
The best thing about big barrels is that it takes a fair bit of " work" to empty them to. :)
Challenge accepted!!!
There are two times of year: FOOTBALL SEASON and... Waiting For Football Season
jdetechguy
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 244
Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2016 7:33 pm

Re: Aging

Post by jdetechguy »

I hear that Diageo does this with many of their products. We have not tried it, but certainly asking about it.
Post Reply