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I bought one of these a couple months ago. They come from Balcones distillery in Texas, once used, less than a year on them. Beautiful barrel, was still wet and sweet inside from blue corn whiskey. Im aging brandy in it. I just bought another, they are back down to $79 plus shipping. Shipping was under 20 to Illinois from New Orleans (with other junk added to my order also).

http://brewstock.enstore.com/item/5-gal ... key-barrel" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

I just ordered two of them Merry Christmas to me.

AC

Great barrels I love mine. The brandy is aging up incredible in there. It was so sweet smelling and wet with whiskey when I got mine I didnt dare rinse it out, just filled it right back up. Not a single drop of leakage. Awesome.

Wow I just read closer
Comes with stand and bung for hole in top. Corn or barley malt liquor has been aged in these barrels.
That a great deal.
One question did they ship quickly?
AC

So tempting... Just no room right now.

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Yes stand and bung included, when you pull the bung it will probably still be wet inside. If you dont use it right away be sure to keep it wet, slosh around some whiskey or vodka or something, it will keep it wet and sweet, otherwise it could get leaky and funky if it dries out.

Yes they shipped pretty fast, few days and I had it.

Ordered two this early am well see how fast they come. do they have these often? Merry christmas, Wannab

Balcones distillery must be piling up mountains of these by the pallet, because this very same barrel is available from several different brew supply online sites at the moment. But the other sites are $89 or more and higher shipping. Dont know how much longer Balcones will be using 5 gallon barrels. Sounds like a new distillery trick to get product to market faster. But its damned expensive compared to larger barrels. Wouldnt be surprised if they shift up to larger barrels, if they havent already.

I also learned Koval distillery in Chicago has 30 gallon once used barrels for $120. But filling one of those would be a hell of a challenge. maybe with a large batch of bourbon barrel porter, but not this ethanol hobby haha.

Cheers,

Jimbo

So, what is the strategy for filling these barrels? Do you have to fill them with shine that is already been on oak and use the barrel to age the liquor? Do you have to fill them all at once with five gallons or can you add a gallon at a time until they are full.

They're once used, for less than a year. Lots of life left and will oak your shine just fine by themselves. I think its best to keep them full so the top staves dont dry out. But Ive read about barrels in distilleries that were in long term storage that were down significantly from full, and obviously were fine. Probably could fill them little at time, better than leaving it sit there empty for sure. Id recommend sloshing or rotating occasionally to get liquid onto the top staves.

You will want to fill it up all at once. If you don't the top side will begin to dry out and the boards can seperate and cause a leak. Your best bet is to distill 5 gallons of "good" product, then order the barrel and fill it. If you order the barrel first then you have to rush to get the stillin' done and we all know rushing leads to mistakes.

You could also order the barrel and fill it with water until you are ready. Or brew a 5 gallon batch of homebrew beer to age on while you are waiting to get your stillin' done. Just don't let it sit dry or you could have problems later when you are filling it with good stuff. We don't want the good stuff to be leaking all over the place.

I ordered a couple of barrels on Dec 9th. 2012, not here yet. Anyone else have any experience with this supplier recently?

I got 1 last week. Takes a while. Email Aaron at the site.

I emailed Aaron a couple times. He informed me that they are not fast shippers 2-3 weeks and pointed out that it is stated in the shipping policy on the website. He also stated that a tracking number will be sent when shipped. Got the tracking number Thursday 2 weeks from the order date. So I believe you will get your order but it is slow. Mine are due 12-26-12. I hope they are as good as I expect. By the way my carrier is fedex they may show Monday.

AC

Got them today

Hey AC, got those babies loaded up yet? I have one full and another with 2 gallons of bourbon in it. That one I slosh around every few days to keep the top wood wet.

Cheers.

The barrel I ordered from these guys came with a blue bung that looks to be either rubber or silicon. Does anyone know what material this bung is made of? Are you guys replacing this bung, if so what is the source of the replacement?

" blue bung that looks to be either rubber or silicon."
that's probably for storage/shipping/keeping the "bugs" out.

I suppose it's possible to add a spigot to the barrel?

"I suppose it's possible to add a spigot to the barrel?"
yes but i would not do it..

What is your thinking behind that Dndr?

It creates leak you dont need.. if it is going to be used for display then go ahead.
iv handled a bunch, some with and some with out,you can drive the bung in with a
sledge and it mite leak .and you cant do that with a spigot.

Gotcha... Thanks Dndr..

-BK

Dnderhead wrote:" blue bung that looks to be either rubber or silicon."
that's probably for storage/shipping/keeping the "bugs" out.

Thanks, Dnderhead. That sounds logical.

I ordered 1 of these barrels january 2nd and received it on the 7th. Shipping was only $17 to tampa bay
The date on the barrel shows it was dumped on dec 2. I'm

SHIT! i just order one and then looked at the site again to drool over the barrel and noticed it said they are out of stock. FML. i guess i'll call them tomorrow to see how long they will be out of stock.

I just about did the samething the other day. I emailed them and they have no clue at this time how long it will be before they have them again.

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