My goal is to save up my ujsm and oak it all at once in a 14.25 gallon demi john glass carboy.
A site i looked at sayes it takes a #11 stopper (gum rubber i guess). is this safe to use for finished 150-160 proof wiskey? I would think a big old solid cork would be better material than rubber for high proof wiskey. I know the wiskey isnt touching the rubber but wouldnt a cork be better? anyone got a link to a safe to use cork that would fit it?
another question i have is how many 1/4 inch oak strip would it take in this size container how long should they be with this tall of a container. I dont want a strong burnt charcoal taste so they are going to be lighly toasted.
I plan on letting it sit for at least 6 months. Is there a time limit that you should have the oak strip in (max time that is)
I made some apple pie shine today with some non oaked corn wiskey. Taste a little funny with the corn flavor. I wanna move on to "Wineos Plain Ol Sugar Wash" so i can make some decent straberry panty droppers and peach and pear and mangoes.....and then start on some all grain wiskey.......so many things to make...drool
First not safe to put that much Hy proof in one glass container,use a corny keg ,beer keg or something similar. corks are available but if we do not know your general location ,we cant help.
came back to say ,,handle/store your Hy proof product much like you whould gasoline/petrol.
Dnderhead wrote:First not safe to put that much Hy proof in one glass container,use a corny keg ,beer keg or something similar. corks are available but if we do not know your general location ,we cant help.
came back to say ,,handle/store your Hy proof product much like you whould gasoline/petrol.
+1
Not only is it not safe but how would you feel if your whole stash ended up on the shop floor? I can tell you from experience looking 10+ gallons of whiskey in a puddle on your floor is enough to mess up your whole week.
RD
Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen. John Steinbeck
Thanks for the response guys!! I am all about safty . I wanted a 20 gallon oak barrel to put it in but couldnt justify spending the $250+ to get it to my door. I thought this may be a viable solution at $60 , but you guys know better than me. Would it be ok to use it for 50 proof? I would think steel would give an off the taste while oaking. I have seen most people on here use glass to oak. I got the idea from this pick (someone elses pick from this site).
I was just going to use 5 gallon glass jugs but for $10 more i could get the 15 gallon demi john. I put my name on the email list to get one yesterday since they are backordered.....but i will wait to hear a response back if its safe to do first. Do you still think at 50 proof that their would be a chance to pop the cork and make a mess. It will be stored in my closet at room temp all the time.....you guys call it for me.
rubber duck wrote:
Not only is it not safe but how would you feel if your whole stash ended up on the shop floor? I can tell you from experience looking 10+ gallons of whiskey in a puddle on your floor is enough to mess up your whole week.
RD
Yeah i dont want that to happen .....sorry to hear that
captin-ahab wrote:My goal is to save up my ujsm and oak it all at once in a 14.25 gallon demi john glass carboy.
A site i looked at sayes it takes a #11 stopper (gum rubber i guess). is this safe to use for finished 150-160 proof wiskey? I would think a big old solid cork would be better material than rubber for high proof wiskey. I know the wiskey isnt touching the rubber but wouldnt a cork be better? anyone got a link to a safe to use cork that would fit it?
prolly recommend diluting to 120 proof before oaking/aging just like the other distillers do.
...and perhaps a reasonable safety measure would be to buy a sturdy plastic trash can and put the demi john inside the trash can for the duration.
cheers,
NChooch
NChooch
Practice safe distillin and keep your hobby under your hat.
The trash can idea might be ok. The thing is treat your high proof booze as you would gasoline.
A few of us including myself bulk age in 5 gallon ss corny kegs. They're cheep, sturdy, and I don't notice any off tastes.
I don't think you should have a problem with the cork popping out of a carboy. If you do go the glass wrought I would drop the proof to 98 or less just to be safe.
15 gallons of whiskey is going to weigh something like 120lb. Have you thought about how your going to maneuver a 120lb glass jar without breaking it? Just something to consider.
Whatever you do, do it safely.
RD
Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen. John Steinbeck
I also agree with all of the safety issues, my main concern would be what happens if the entire 15 gallons turns out to taste like crap? With all of your hard work at stake it seems pretty risky to put all of your eggs in one basket. MM
Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway----John Wayne
wow..coney kegs are cheap four for $120 shipping included for reconditioned ones. With a 8.5” Diameter each four of them would only leave a 17 inch square of floor space take up. Do you use the pin lock or the ball lock kegs? Since we can not use plastic hose to syphon out the wiskey how do you get it out of the kegs when its done oaking?
are these safe to store fruit washes in too? apple, strawberry, kewi, mango,...etc in the 40abv range?
captin-ahab wrote:wow..coney kegs are cheap four for $120 shipping included for reconditioned ones. With a 8.5” Diameter each four of them would only leave a 17 inch square of floor space take up. Do you use the pin lock or the ball lock kegs? Since we can not use plastic hose to syphon out the wiskey how do you get it out of the kegs when its done oaking?
are these safe to store fruit washes in too? apple, strawberry, kewi, mango,...etc in the 40abv range?
If you think you might ever want to get into beer brewing go with the ball lock. Pin locks are usually cheaper but if they're the same price go with the ball locks. Also reconditioned kegs just means that the seals where replaced and you will be pulling those, so if regular used kegs are significantly cheaper get them instead. 4 for 120 shipped is a really good deal, but before you order check your local scrap yard, they show up there sometimes.
I get the whiskey out the same way as you do with a carboy, I pour it into a ss milk can and bottle from that.
I don't know about fruit, I assume it's the same as any other alcohol.
Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen. John Steinbeck
probable shouldnt post after drinkin the apple pie 
. I wanted a 20 gallon oak barrel to put it in but couldnt justify spending the $250+ to get it to my door. I thought this may be a viable solution at $60 , but you guys know better than me. Would it be ok to use it for 50 proof? I would think steel would give an off the taste while oaking. I have seen most people on here use glass to oak. I got the idea from this pick (someone elses pick from this site). 
.....sorry to hear that
R.I.P.