Apple Brandy Barrel Finished Whiskey

[Clearmoon247]

At the beginning of the year, I decided to step up my various whiskey experiments by making an apple brandy finished whiskey. I started by coordinating with a few people in my local community to have each person provide 1-2 bottles of either bourbon or rye whiskey to add to the barrel. Then, I purchased a 5 gallon apple brandy barrel.

About a week later, the barrel arrived, but it was a bit larger than I expected. As it turns out, I received a 15 gallon barrel. Though I could increase how much whiskey I personally added, I needed some extra participation from the community. In total, ~28 bottles were donated by members of the local whiskey group and I added 32 bottles personally. The only stipulations for what went into the blend were that it was a bourbon or rye, and either a minimum of 7 years old or 106 proof.



Here is a rundown of everything that went into the blend:

• Russells Reserve
  Russells Single Barrel CNA
  Wild Turkey Rare Breed
  Makers Mark Cask Strength
  Makers 46 Cask Strength
  Manifest Cask Strength Rye (Master distillers pick)
  Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B520
  Elijah Craig 18 Year
  Belle Meade Cask Strength
  Redemption 9 Year Bourbon
  Old Scout Single Barrel Rye
  Knob Creek 14 Year Store Pick
  Knob Creek Small Batch (old age statement label)
  Noah's Mill (2014 & 2020 releases)
  Willett Family Estate Rye
  Barrell 18 Year Single Barrel
  Stagg Jr
  George T Stagg
  Blantons SFTB
  Weller Antique
  Jack Daniels Barrel Proof
  Jack Daniels Barrel Proof Rye
  Bulleit Barrel Strength

After 3 months, I pulled a volume of whiskey for each person involved to get a full bottle for each bottle they donated. Fancy labels were added to give details and commemorate the project. Once that was done, I topped the barrel off with more whiskey from my collection and it has been aging ever since. I will probably pull a few bottles from the barrel and let it continue to finish for an additional year.



For those curious, the traditional barrel next to the apple brandy barrel is a 5L/1.23Gal barrel. It looks comically small!

[rubberduck71]

How did you come by the barrel? i.e. did they advertise it on a website, or did you approach the distiller owner in person?

[Clearmoon247]

How did you come by the barrel? i.e. did they advertise it on a website, or did you approach the distiller owner in person?

I purchased it from www.barrelsdirect.com

I was debating about which style of used barrel to purchase for finishing. In the end, it was either apple brandy or gin barrel. I think I made the right decision.

[rubberduck71]

Thanks for link! I bookmarked it for future use.

Maybe the SWIMBO will let me get on for Xmas. Running tight on basement space though!!!

[Oldvine Zin]

I purchased it from www.barrelsdirect.com

They seem a bit overpriced for used barrels, a new gibbs is selling for less than what they are charging.

Stay safe
OVZ

[jonnys_spirit]

Sounds fun and expensive!

What was the ABV going in and coming out of the barrel?

Interested to see what your thoughts are on oaking at different time intervals (3mo, 6mo, 12+ months) and in particular whether 3 months made the blend better or “needs more time”. Did you save some of the blend in glass to compare as it ages?

Cheers!
J

[Clearmoon247]

Sounds fun and expensive!

What was the ABV going in and coming out of the barrel?

Interested to see what your thoughts are on oaking at different time intervals (3mo, 6mo, 12+ months) and in particular whether 3 months made the blend better or “needs more time”. Did you save some of the blend in glass to compare as it ages?

Cheers!
J

Its been incredibly fun so far.
I did save a 4oz dram of the original blend and 3 full bottles of the 3 month finish. The time did the blend wonders.

It went into the barrel at 57% and came out at 59%

[Saltbush Bill]

Interesting experiment, I can only imagine that the end product should be a fine drop.