what should i fill my first barrel with?

[sparky marky]

hey guys,

iv been using oak sticks for several years and a couple of hundred liters of whisk(e)y of all types with great success. while smooth and delicious iv alway thought there was a certain quality missing from my drinks that my favourite store bought spirits always have. Maybe its the way i toast/char the oak, maybe its the fact they age in glass jars or corny kegs that are mostly sealed.....dunno,

To test this out iv just gone and ordered myself up a once used 20L barrel from Kings County. It had bourbon in it for a few years.
Just looking for a couple of folk to throw out an opinion on what to fill it with first because I'm torn!
my options are:
1) i go for a bourbon and follow all the classic bourbon laws knowing it won't be quite as dark/vanilla-ey as it would be if i had a brand new barrel?
2) Should i do a pseudo bourbon and make it about 40/60 corn and barley?
3) i do a full on scotch, maybe even throw in a little peated malt. my worry is this will be too dark/sweet
4) i do a 100% feed molasses rum. My worry is similar to #3 will the relatively new charred American oak overpower the rum and taste too much like bourbon?

What we saying? What would best suit the barrel at this stage in its life?

[jon1163]

how about a rye or single malt?

[sparky marky]

Yeah, I’m leaning towards a slightly peaty single malt. Just wondering if it might end up too sweet and bourbon flavoured on its first use