Barrel life?

[Glock19Fan]

Hello.

Just curious as to how many generations you all think a barrel will last before it should be set aside for decoration/ect.?

To be more specific, mine is a 5 gallon charred American White Oak barrel, and has only been used to age rum. I am contemplating filling it up again, becuase the last batch still came out pretty nice. I have already had two batches aged in it, and as I said might consider another one. Both batches were aged for a period of 6 months each, and barreled at approx 70% strength.

Any suggestions, experiences, theories?

Thanks!

[Dnderhead]

as long as you want.if the oak flavor becomes depleted add some sticks.
best if you attached them to the bung so you can retrieve them.

[Moorea]

I´ve been using oak barrels for some time, now i changed to glass due to the spirit loss on barrels, but, i noticed something that i believe is exponential, i tought it can be something like that : each time you fill a barrel and let the spirit age for a long time, not less than 6 months, the barrel leaves 50% of its "full capacity", next time you use this barrel, it has left only 50% of its "power" and will contune leaving half of its actual full capacity, so the "notes" added will be half of the first or 25% of a new barrel capacity, on the 3th run the barrel will have only 25% of its full new capacity and will leave half of it, or maybe 12,5% and so on...
I used to give old barrels to friends as a gift filled with cheap cachaça and replace them with new ones every year.

my regards

Moorea, from Ilhabela - Brasil