New barrel needs broken in

[amÉIREcan]

I got a new 5l oak barrel for Christmas and boy am I foaming at the mouth day dreaming about the day a few years from now I pour off my first dram of scotch whisky.

But before I do so I have a few questions to make sure that whisky won't still be clear in 3 years.

As of now I only have 900 ml of finished whisky. I made extremely tight cuts which is why I only have so little. I was thinking about adding what I have now to the keg so it can get a head start on aging. I presoaked the barrel but will the parts of the barrel not directly touching the liquid dry out? When I continue to add whisky will the top part of the barrel that didnt previously have contact with whisky leak? Or will moisture kind of work its way around the barrel keeping it wet?

Another option is to buy 5l of piss sherry and store that in the barrel until I have enough whisky to age. After all a lot of scotch is aged in old sherry barrels. If I go that route, that brings up another question. The barrel is only toasted at best on the inside. Once I pour out the sherry and replace it with whisky would the cask have to be regenerated? How difficult is it to remove and put the top band back on a barrel that small?

[Deerhunter]

I would do a few more runs, make your cuts and collect what you can. Save in glass jugs (even could start off oaking in glass with chips or staves), then add to your barrel when you have a decent amount. Over time the Angels will take a good portion of that 900 ml if you add that now. 2 months ago I filled my 20L barrel. I waited till I collected enough to fill it. I'm not touching it till Christmas.

[Stainless]

Hi, keep the barrel full of water until you decide to use it.
My favourite goto is Dalmore, aged 9 yrs in ex bourbon casks and then aged 3 yrs in ex sherry casks.
I wont be here in 12yrs.
Have fun with yer stillin
Will

[still_stirrin]

Aging in a 5 liter cask is much quicker than a 32 gallon cask.

For my 5 liter casks, I find that 4-6 weeks is good enough, after which I continue to oak in glass. Because of the surface to volume ratio being so high in small casks, the Angels take a lot in a short period of time. But, the volatiles go quickly that way too, so it actually comes out of the cask quite nice.

But, I like to add more color, so I put it in glass jars (1/2 gallon or larger) with some charred & toasted stave chunks, then continue the aging time. The color comes out richer and the flavor picks up more of the vanilla and caramel notes.

YMMV.
ss

[Still Life]

Here's also some tips on barrel care you may want to keep handy.
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/media/do ... _sheet.pdf

[pidass]

Aging in a 5 liter cask is much quicker than a 32 gallon cask.

For my 5 liter casks, I find that 4-6 weeks is good enough, after which I continue to oak in glass. Because of the surface to volume ratio being so high in small casks, the Angels take a lot in a short period of time. But, the volatiles go quickly that way too, so it actually comes out of the cask quite nice.

But, I like to add more color, so I put it in glass jars (1/2 gallon or larger) with some charred & toasted stave chunks, then continue the aging time. The color comes out richer and the flavor picks up more of the vanilla and caramel notes.

YMMV.
ss

I'm currently aging in glass but interested in doing barrels, how many uses do you typically get out of barrel (I'm thinking about the cost-to-benefit)?

[Truckinbutch]

Aging in a 5 liter cask is much quicker than a 32 gallon cask.

For my 5 liter casks, I find that 4-6 weeks is good enough, after which I continue to oak in glass. Because of the surface to volume ratio being so high in small casks, the Angels take a lot in a short period of time. But, the volatiles go quickly that way too, so it actually comes out of the cask quite nice.

But, I like to add more color, so I put it in glass jars (1/2 gallon or larger) with some charred & toasted stave chunks, then continue the aging time. The color comes out richer and the flavor picks up more of the vanilla and caramel notes.

YMMV.
ss

I'm currently aging in glass but interested in doing barrels, how many uses do you typically get out of barrel (I'm thinking about the cost-to-benefit)?

can't answer from personal experience . Folks here are talking about years and years just by adding some baked and charred sticks when the barrel it's self plays out . As long as you take care of it there is no reason why the barrel as a container could not last a hundred years .