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Hello
Big fan of all this stuff and new to it all. I don't have the means yet to make my own stuff so I got a 2 litre barrel to try some stuff. So if I put 100 proof shine off the store shelf in it and turn it a quarter turn weekly, in 3 to 6 months I should have some good tasty stuff right?

If you are laughing at me right now, its all good.

no ones laughing at you, it's a genuine question

smaller barrels are good as they have more surface area for the likker to come into contact with

do it, and after 2 months sample it every week (a shot glass worth) untill you reach what you think is good

when tasting, smell it, put it in your mouth, let it sit in your mkouth for abit, then swallow

+1 Like Pounsfos states. The small barrels are great and also fast at aging the hooch. 100 proof is a little low but very acceptable for barreling. The commercial boys barrel at 60-65% (120-130 proof), The single malt guys in Scotland and the great Irish whisky guys will also add water (spring water) if they are topping off from the angel's share loss, at least that is what I was told by a Glenlivett cooper I know, my buddy at Jameson concurred, so I'm pretty sure these distillers do that. The finished barrel comes out at 45-50% then is diluted to 42.5 when bottled. When I bring a batch out of a barrel I proof it to 100-110 for the finished bottles.

Where are you getting the small barrels ?

If you put commercial booze in the keg, make sure it is clear, not previously oaked, aged stuff.

Start with a cheap vodka or white dog.

35mastr wrote:Where are you getting the small barrels ?

There are several websites that sell good quality barrels at a decent price. http://www.1000oaksbarrel.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow , http://www.gibbsbrotherscooperage.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow , http://www.rockymountainbarrelcompany.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow are a few. Or you could become a cooper, like me and just build your own.

JackPopcorn wrote:Hello
Big fan of all this stuff and new to it all. I don't have the means yet to make my own stuff so I got a 2 litre barrel to try some stuff. So if I put 100 proof shine off the store shelf in it and turn it a quarter turn weekly, in 3 to 6 months I should have some good tasty stuff right?

If you are laughing at me right now, its all good.

I would follow Pounsfos' advice and sample it weekly after 2 months. I use 2L, 5L, and 20L barrels and the 2L (if brand new) never take more than 3 months. My rum, in a 2L new barrel (@ 62% abv), is done in 2 months. If you go too long in these little barrels you get a very "woody" flavor.

RandymarshCT, you might like reusing your barrels, the more loads they have aged, the less amount of wood you should taste. I've got a set of about 10 3 gal barrels and I just progress my batches down the line. Nothing stays in these little barrels for more than 3 months, as I empty number 10 into glass, I just progress up the line till I have an empty number one barrel to fill with a fresh run. (a stainless steel or copper funnel is a big help when moving whisky from one barrel to another)