What are the 'best' barrels for a HD?

[Husker]

I have a friend, who has offered up his 40 acre plot for the summer, to use a 'production' area. I think I will get a couple barrels done with him. I have not used barrels before, but aged in other 'items'.

I would be looking for a couple 10gallon (or 15 gallon), thus smaller sized barrels. Something we could simply leave out on his place, for a few years (topping them off every once in a while. What have been peoples oppinions on barrel producers?

I know that there are:

1000 oaks
Gibbs,
Some other companies that advertised here for a while.

What have been peoples feeling about
- quality
- cost
- shipping
- any support needed
- etc.

What are people experience with these, or others (stateside)? I probably will not have a barrel full for a while. I will likely run 30 gallon ferments, and bet I will be running at least weekly since this will be outside where it is warmer, while trying to build up supply. I plan on simply putting it in glass, or into a 'spare' keg until I have enough for an aging barrel.

H.

[Husker]

I have a friend, who has offered up his 40 acre plot for the summer, to use a 'production' area. I think I will get a couple barrels done with him. I have not used barrels before, but aged in other 'items'.

I would be looking for a couple 10gallon (or 15 gallon), thus smaller sized barrels. Something we could simply leave out on his place, for a few years (topping them off every once in a while. What have been peoples opinions on barrel producers?

I know that there are:

1000 oaks
Gibbs,
Some other companies that advertised here for a while, like kybarrels, or something.

What have been peoples feeling about
- quality
- cost
- shipping
- any support needed
- etc.

What are people experience with these, or others (stateside)? I probably will not have a barrel full for a while. I will likely run 30 gallon ferments, and bet I will be running at least weekly since this will be outside where it is warmer, while trying to build up supply. I plan on simply putting it in glass, or into a 'spare' keg until I have enough for an aging barrel.

H.

[Dnderhead]

after searching I went with Gibbs, Iv used 10-12 and no problems. only thing is ask them not to drill the bung hole in the head.it just makes a place for it to leak.

[Husker]

so get the bung cut in the 'outter' edge, like the big boy barrels? Should it be on the wides part, or somewhere on the shoulder?

I figure I will have 2 gallons 'extra' for the 10 gallon barrel (firsts), and 3 gallons extra on the 2nd's (15 gallon barrel). Then since probably a gallon of each will end up sampled 'white', lol, I will probably have to keep things topped using water after a while. Is this a decent plan? I will start at 65-67% (at least the 2nds will start there). The firsts may likely be in the 55% range (I may add 95% neutral, to kick the strength up to 65% prior to aging).

So the bung will be out a few times during the process, to top things up (and see how aging is going).

H.

[Dnderhead]

you want the bung that is on the staves,,but the one on the head/end is just a pain. (the one where the spigot is supposed to go)
that is more for decoration?, the spigot cant be in it when aging, then I use a racking cane or if bottling I pore into a SS sink
that has a filter and bottle filler attached. I reduced the drain to fit the bottle filler, then place a screen then filter material in the 'drain"
it just acts as one big ass funnel.

[Dnderhead]

I like to age 50-60% the lower percent it is, the "sweeter" (more carmel) comes out, at higher percent it will age faster but become more "tannic"
I don't make that much any more so thaking of filling some used barrels with sherry? or brandy (made from same grape), if I can fiend the grapes or juice.

[Husker]

Shot an email off to gibbs to get some pricing. I might be down in the ozarks over the 4th, so I might just shoot down to hot springs, and buy a finished barrel or 2 right off the site, and skip the shipping charges. Might be a nice day trip to hit hot springs, camp for the night in Murfesburo, and go dig for diamonds the next day (of course hit Gibbs bro sometime in there

I think I can talk Barb into that type of day trip. Plus it will save $100 or more shipping. I have no quote on shipping, but I do not see how it could be LESS than that.

I bet after aging, I could probably put a hole in the cask end, and hammer in one of those wooden bungs at that time, if I so choose to.

Our son is getting married next July (not this summer, but next). I get stuck with the bar bill. I think I would like to have 5 gallons or so of SMOOTH aged corn likker for that event, lol. Also, some apple pie, rhum, and flavor up some neutral (pantie dropper, Kahlua, amaretto, etc).

H.

[Dnderhead]

a year in a 10gal barrel will make a big diferance,in my openyon much better than "on wood aging", but order your barrel,, as most of the coopers, make barrels "to order" they all do this.

[Mud Mechanik]

I just received my barrel from here, http://oakbarrelsltd.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
just filled it with 95 proof, and I have to say that the craftmanship is second to none and the charring has such a sweet smell, can't wait till a sample comes off for tasting. These barrels have no varnishes on the outside, just natural finishes. MM

[LWTCS]

Wudja git?
How big?

[Husker]

biggest I saw on oak limited was 20L. I think I want a couple that are bigger than that. Prolly get me a 10 and 15 gallon set.

H.

[Dnderhead]

Id say yes for serious aging 10gal (40l) is the smallest Id go, smaller barrel flavor/color but then you have to remove to finish. at least until it has been used a few times

[LWTCS]

Been wanting to try a solara style sort of routine.

2 or 3 barrel system, drawing off the bottom for enjoyment and cycling the likker down, topping off the top with what I have waiting in glass.

Thought maybe a smaller barrel for the top......but maybe not?

What would you fellers recommend?

[Mud Mechanik]

LW, I got the 5 liter, thinking of going a little bigger for the next one if this barrel turns out good stuff, I have not contacted this place to see if I can get a barrel with only one hole for a bung, but I bet they would do it. I just ordered the in stock one.

[LWTCS]

Just bumped em an email with a couple of questions about what I'd like to do.

Lets see how forthcoming they are with some customer service.

It'll soon be Christmas

[Mud Mechanik]

It will be interesting to find out if they will work with customers to keep the business coming. They do have a good quality product at a good price and they also shipped very fast, I will be looking for your post to see if they will customize.

[LWTCS]

Certainly I will post any dialog that may be ambiguously worded (or the like).

Let the gents have a look see and move forward from there

[Dnderhead]

most likely they do not make barrels, just sell them.
if you do solara , you git a barrel of desired size,place in rack as high as necessary to do as many barrel as your going to use.3-4 high
age in first barrel, then in about a year add another barrel on top ,and so on. the newest goes on top.
when you need to replace one, remove the bottom one then move them all down one space. then you always have them in order.
this also saves pumping from one to another, it can be siphoned from upper barrel to the one below. with a racking cane .
you will want all barrels the same size.

[LWTCS]

most likely they do not make barrels, just sell them.

You may be right Dunder.

"Cinda" got right back to me and refered me to a sight that she found on the internet that explained the solara method.

http://www.winemakermag.com/stories/wiz ... ine-wizard" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

I am happy that there was a bit of follow up beyond real basic yes/no type responces.

Your described method sounds pretty much like what i would be shooting for,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,cept for the waiting part

[Dnderhead]

Iv bought a few 100 barrels off Gibbs with no problem,,solana proses is just transferring from newest barrel to older ones, but you have to age one to start then you just keep adding one new barrel as you go, this is used mostly for extended aging,
1) your product does not over oak 2) you do not have to buy all new barrels. just buy one the first,, and one each year after that .
3) you have a steady supply of aged product, just do not let you barrels git below 2/3 before topping. or you mite have to start the proses over .
4) this makes like a vatted product,by mixing different barrels together as all barrels are a bit different.

[LWTCS]

Iv bought a few 100 barrels off Gibbs with no problem,,solana proses is just transferring from newest barrel to older ones, but you have to age one to start then you just keep adding one new barrel as you go, this is used mostly for extended aging,
1) your product does not over oak 2) you do not have to buy all new barrels. just buy one the first,, and one each year after that .
3) you have a steady supply of aged product, just do not let you barrels git below 2/3 before topping. or you mite have to start the proses over .
4) this makes like a vatted product,by mixing different barrels together as all barrels are a bit different.

Check, check and double check.
Edit:
Hang on,,,,,,,,A few hundred barrels???

[kiwistiller]

Has anyone here used the Tuthilltown ex bourbon barrels? I've heard good reviews . Apparently they are generally quite small casks.

[LWTCS]

Apparently they are generally quite small casks.

What does that mean?

[kiwistiller]

Um. The size of the barrel is small? I think some are 7 gallons or something. You could probably find them on their website.

[LWTCS]

Interesting.
I find it curious that an outfit like this is selling used barrels that small.

Specially since we have members here with many barrels 5 times that size.

Almost sounds like an experimental phase that did not pan out.

Just being confrused out loud

[kiwistiller]

I think they do it to get their bourbon to market quicker.