Slowing down the angel share on a small barrel

[BFBourbonBuddy]

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf ... .tb00154.x
@Geoff and Bill
This article outlines the O2 permeability of a variety of waxes, while it may inhibit complete oxidation, these waxes provide a liquid tight seal with some transfer of Oxygen. Do with this what you will!

[Deplorable]

I'm pretty sure your right Geoff, if its not letting anything out , its unlikely to let anything in either.
I played around with waxing a barrel only a week or two ago, but that was to try to fix a leak.
I used shavings of bees wax and melted it onto / into the wood of the barrel using a heat gun/ paint stripper gun.....what ever you want to call it. It was a fail as far as leak fixing , but I'm pretty sure it would slow down any alcoholic angels if you where to wax 3/4 of the barrel.
I personally wouldn't wax the whole thing.
I did get the leak fixed but using another method all together.

I dont want to hijack the OPs thread, but I am very interested in how you fixed said leak. I have a stubborn leak in one of my barrels.

[juana_b]

I'm pretty sure your right Geoff, if its not letting anything out , its unlikely to let anything in either.
I played around with waxing a barrel only a week or two ago, but that was to try to fix a leak.
I used shavings of bees wax and melted it onto / into the wood of the barrel using a heat gun/ paint stripper gun.....what ever you want to call it. It was a fail as far as leak fixing , but I'm pretty sure it would slow down any alcoholic angels if you where to wax 3/4 of the barrel.
I personally wouldn't wax the whole thing.
I did get the leak fixed but using another method all together.

I dont want to hijack the OPs thread, but I am very interested in how you fixed said leak. I have a stubborn leak in one of my barrels.

Has anyone tried warming and waxing the barrel while on a vacuum pump?

[The Baker]

Perhaps off topic but I would love to know how you fixed the leak...

Geoff

[Newtothis]

I wonder if I wrap its circumference with saran wrap, letting its two side uncovered, would it slow down the angel share and won't compromise its content?
The two ends should continue the "breathing effect", reducing he angel share? Sure I'm supposing that it should age a bit (or significantly?) slower...
What do you think? Is it a bad idea?

I’ve wondered the same thing about wrapping, I was thinging of getting some large heat shrink bags and shrinking them on the barrel and leaving a little room at the bung area to breathe.

[Evil_Dark]

I’ve wondered the same thing about wrapping, I was thinging of getting some large heat shrink bags and shrinking them on the barrel and leaving a little room at the bung area to breathe.

Well wrapping the entire barrel may stop too much the air exchange?
I would choose to let the two flat ends uncovered, and wrap only the circumference to reduce significantly the air exchange.
The bung hole would be very small breathing area considering the surface ratio of a real size barrel, no?

[Goose]

My barrels came varnished (I know not recommended) but I still lost 40% or more in 6 months. I didn't figure waxing over the varnish would help.

Now I am in glass, but of course glass don't breath so maybe I put a cork in the lid or crack the seal very slightly ?

[Evil_Dark]

My barrels came varnished (I know not recommended) but I still lost 40% or more in 6 months. I didn't figure waxing over the varnish would help.

Now I am in glass, but of course glass don't breath so maybe I put a cork in the lid or crack the seal very slightly ?

In mason jars I made a cap out of thin unprinted brown cardboard to replace the original metalic one, so it breathes slowly. Just be careful to not allow the spirit to touch or soak the cardboard as it will give a cardboard taste to the spirit... But for breathing purposes, it works wonderfully.

[Zacher]

Just wondering if anyone actually wrapped a barrel in plastic wrap and the results?

[HDNB]

Just wondering if anyone actually wrapped a barrel in plastic wrap and the results?

i have. it helps fix leaks (great for swelling a dry barrel). slows angle share. no difference in taste. it's plastic though and even if it's not touching the alcohol is not recommended.

[Zacher]

Just wondering if anyone actually wrapped a barrel in plastic wrap and the results?

i have. it helps fix leaks (great for swelling a dry barrel). slows angle share. no difference in taste. it's plastic though and even if it's not touching the alcohol is not recommended.

Thanks and agreed. My barrels are doing just fine in my basement but I was looking for an answer to the original post.....

[shadylane]

" Slowing down the angel share on a small barrel"

Transfer the whiskey to glass early.

[Zacher]

" Slowing down the angel share on a small barrel"

Transfer the whiskey to glass early.