1.3 gallon oak barrels question

[simpletime05]

I filled a new 1.3 gallon medium char oak barrel full of a sugar head whiskey spirit run I did last week. I rotated the barrel tonight and pulled half a glass off to try it and it is already quite oak-y. I am curious if I should let this ride or pull it off before it becomes overwhelmingly oak-y. will it mellow out while it is still in the barrel or should I bottle it and call it good. It hasn't taken much color, slightly brown but nothing like a finished store bought whiskey.

[White_Lightning_Rod]

Keep in mind Ive only used the JD chips to oak with but I find the first flavor change is to a very strong oak, more than I would like if it stayed, but with more time that mellows and then the sweeter carmelly flavors from the wood begin to come through. I would say leave it and dont even taste it for 5 or 6 more weeks. I used to worry that it isnt going as it should tasted it too soon and too often and then usually re ran it instead of leaving it long enough until the first time I forgot about a bottle and it made it over a month and I got past that over oaky flavor, now I wont touch anything till 6 weeks minimum.

[simpletime05]

Excellent, I will leave it be and give it a try in a month or so. Its a simple sugar head so if it doesn't turn out it isn't too big of a loss. In fact, the new barrel would be a bigger loss.

I've got a peach brandy on another barrel and its been in it for 3 weeks and it doesn't have nearly the oak flavor that this sugar head does. In fact, it's quite delicious. I'm going to leave it for another month or so then bottle and hide it away for as long as possible. Hopefully, it makes it to next bird season.