Used 15 gallon bourbon barrel

[RockinRockies]

I just purchased a used barrel in town for $145. I pick it up tomorrow. I've decided for my first "big" fill, to follow saltbush bill rum recipe this November when I have time to run the thing.

Currently I've got 4 gallons of 4 grain bourbon at 62.5% that's been aging for 4.5 months and 4 gallons of 55% sweetfeed aging since December 2020. The guy that sells the barrels claims all I need to do is put a bottle or two of cheap bourbon to keep it tight and ready for when I charge it stuff with the rum, massive spritz it with water once a month

I'm contemplating the idea of filling the barrel with my bourbon for the next 4 months but the gentleman said the headspace would likely age the bourbon too fast. So far, I'm pleased with the aging but it's certainly young.

Would anyone be able to weigh in with their ideas on what makes the most sense

[still_stirrin]

I’d put the 4 gallons of bourbon and 4 gallons of UJ in it now and get started brewing the rum asap. 8 gallons in a 15 gallon cask will do much better than a bottle or 2 of cheap bourbon. It will mature a little quicker than a full cask, but given the size of the cask, it’ll be ready to bottle by the time you have enough rum to refill the cask.

And I wouldn’t fret at all about blending the bourbon with the UJ. They’ll do fine together and at 115 proof entry, the cask will give you a little more of the caramel notes in the product.

But, I’m just one vote. And I’m “sticking with it”!
ss

[BlueSasquatch]

I'd say it depends on how much repeatability you want, which is a good and bad thing, the more stuff you toss in there, the harder it will be the pull off again, but that's part of the beauty as well. I'm not sure I would've bought a 15 gallon barrel before I had the spirit to fill it?

[RockinRockies]

I'd say it depends on how much repeatability you want, which is a good and bad thing, the more stuff you toss in there, the harder it will be the pull off again, but that's part of the beauty as well. I'm not sure I would've bought a 15 gallon barrel before I had the spirit to fill it?

From what I've seen, they aren't likely to be available when I'm ready. So I figured I'll just take the chance

[Hambone]

I personally would save my liquor in glass until I had >80% fill volume. Fill barrel with water for a day or two until no leaks. Angels get greedy with dry wood and a small volume…

[RockinRockies]

I just mixed the 1 Madagascar bean/gallon for one week infused sweetfeed on oak with equal parts 4 grain bourbon that had 2/5 gallons with the same vanilla ratio, tempered down and gave to my wife.

She said it's the best thing I've made yet. She said it didn't have any of the harshness from makers like the acetone and it was the best drink I've made her yet.

I've got about 8.5 gallons at 58% in my estimation of the 55% and 62.5% mixed together. I like where this is headed so I'm really struggling with the decision of whether I ought to chance it and fill this barrel until I'm ready to fill out with the rum.

Both are still way young for my liking, and I don't care about repeatability with these recipes. I took too many shortcuts.

My question is this:
What should I expect for angels share in just four months with that ratio to barrel size, is I keep it in a humidity controlled environment? I'll turn on my humidifier in my spare bedroom that is about 80°F with a humidifier

[RockinRockies]

Well I've decided to fill it, which I did today. Rocky mountain barrel company is legit.

I'll likely buy another barrel for the rum and let this barrel sit for over a year, depending on if it makes it that long.
Then I'll refill with a heavily peated Islay style scotch. Except it's America, so peated single malt.
Think Laphroaig peat style

[RockinRockies]

Happy to report it's filled with approximately 9 gallons and not a drip of a leak anywhere (that was my lazy pour that spilt some spirits). Rocky mountain barrel company will be my go to, especially since I can go pick up same day on site

Wife says it ties the room together

[Twisted Brick]

You da man, RR! Not only for the job of charging that size barrel, but for nabbing that keeper of a wife!

[8Ball]

You da man, RR! Not only for the job of charging that size barrel, but for nabbing that keeper of a wife!

+1

What Twisted sed.

[Deplorable]

Man, that's a hell of a room accent. You think she'll let you have a whole wall of them?

[Windy City]

Currently I've got 4 gallons of 4 grain bourbon at 62.5% that's been aging for 4.5 months and 4 gallons of 55% sweetfeed aging since December 2020. The guy that sells the barrels claims all I need to do is put a bottle or two of cheap bourbon to keep it tight and ready for when I charge it stuff with the rum, massive spritz it with water once a month
Would anyone be able to weigh in with their ideas on what makes the most sense

I primarily use Barrel Mill barrels and have had barrels sitting in my unconditioned garage for over two years and was able to fill them with clean water for 24 hours to seal ( most of them sealed immediately but I went through the 24 hour protocol anyway)
I don’t think I would waste either cheap store bought or aging liquor just to tighten up the barrel when you could just use clean water.
As far as aging, I generally keep everything in the barrel for two to three years before bottling.

[rubberduck71]

Man, that's a hell of a room accent. You think she'll let you have a whole wall of them?

Ha! That was going to be my question too!

"But honey, if just 1 barrel makes it look better, just imagine what 20 of them would do?!?"

[jonnys_spirit]

"But honey, if just 1 barrel makes it look better, just imagine what 20 of them would do?!?"

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baudoinia_compniacensis

779B94F7-9D4E-41FF-BA40-8350061C595C.jpeg (41.28 KiB) Viewed 1085 times

[RockinRockies]

Man, that's a hell of a room accent. You think she'll let you have a whole wall of them?

Funny you should ask:
I actually said to her, "just wait till that starts getting stacked"

She said, "then your going to build that rickhouse you've been clamoring for on the side yard.



She's incredible, but she did say she wouldn't mind if there was one row stacked in the corner of the living room. She loves what I make, so she sees the direct benefit.

BTW, it is a barrel Mill barrel. Very impressed so far. Char #4. I'll be interested to see how this profile develops

[Deplorable]

I think you'll be happy. I've got one of thier 5 gallon barrels full of single malt, 2nd fill. Another 2nd fill thats full of Malbec, and will fill a 3rd this fall.