Old Barrel

[Rivver]

Okay, so I found an old 1 gallon barrel that I had in my basement sitting around for decor. It's definitely and oak barrel but has no markings on it of any kind. My brain started wondering of course if I could age something in it for awhile. I have no history of this barrel or what it was used for, there is no detectable odor from inside and I can not tell if it was charred or not.

Just for s&g's I filled it last night with water and it was leaking bad right off the start. I sloshed it around a few times and then let it sit by a drain for a few hours. Later on in the evening I refilled and the leaks have really slowed down a lot.

What do you think? Should I give it a good cleaning and try it out or put it back on the shelf?

[Rivver]

No replies??? So I should shelf it?

[jholmz]

dont know if id use it or not. from what youve said probably not as there are no markings and you dont know what was in it previously

[Prairiepiss]

dont know if id use it or not. from what youve said probably not as there are no markings and you dont know what was in it previously

+1

[Rivver]

I was thinking the same thing, but hey, I guy can dream can't he....? Guess I'm just gonna have to break down and buy me a damn barrel.

[jholmz]

no need to buy a barrel unless you just want to you can buy chips cubes and sticks from different companies or barrel staves and cut them up just depends what you want to do

[Braz]

And besides, a 1 gallon barrel isn't big enough for aging anyway. It would have too much surface area for the amount of spirit.

[Rivver]

I know I don't "need" a barrel, I already age on charred oak pieces. But I want to try a barrel, thinking about getting a 5 gallon or larger to age in.