Home Distiller

Hi,

I have been distilling for a few years and am based in Auckland New Zealand. I currently have a UJSSM down and was wondering where everyone else got their oak to toast from? or do people moslty use the brew store oak chips?

Nope, grab a new 1/2 barrel (sold as a planter) from either a winery or from mitre10 knock it apart and you will have more oak than you can shake a stick at.

I found a guy who makes furniture out of barrels online
Not sure where in NZ he is located but he sent my about 3kg of staves for $30.00. he even offered to cut them up before sending.
It probably works out a lot more than buying a barrel but it'll last me years.

PM me if you want his email

If you use a barrel that has had wine in it don't you get some taste carrying over from the wine?

If you have ever seen that documentary with Jim Tom in it (called Moonshiners I think) there is a Native American man who ages his moonshine in a small barrel that looks to be about 2 - 3 gallons size. That would be perfect size for me but I think the only way to get one would be to make it. If the wine barrel oak doesn't carry over a flavour then it would be a good source of material. As I live in the Nelson area there is no shortage of wine barrels around (they go for about $80 -100)

I've used the store bought oak chips in the past and had great success with them. The liquor only needs a few days and takes on a nice golden colour real quick.

You might contact these fellers. They make a dandy fine product and have fer a very long time... http://www.gibbsbrothers.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow not sure if they would ship to NZ but you could ask...