Best ABV for barrel aging

[Oldvine Zin]

From what I've read and experimented with 65 to 68 abv seems like a good starting point for oak barrel aging. just had a discussion with someone who believes that smaller barrels should have less abv because of more wood contact, I called bullshit - am I wrong or right? My thinking is wood contact is wood contact - the abv reacts the same way no matter what the volume is. ?? prove me wrong cuz I'm still learning

[nerdybrewer]

I know nothing about the science of it, but have used the numbers you cite as a rule of thumb.
My 5 gallon barrel held approximately 68% scotch in it and it turned out ok.

[Saltbush Bill]

From my understanding of how it works you are correct

[rubber duck]

There is more to it then abv, temp plays a factor as well. In my experience I like to barrel age at 105 proof at 60f. 60f is all I have ever really Don but I find lower proof pulls more vanilla from the oak and I like that.

[Oldvine Zin]

Yea this was a question from yesterdays spoof oh I mean proof of Washington event where I was talking to a producer about their barrel aged and it seemed off to me almost like toasted but not charred _ strange flavor, and out of the blue this dude with a laminate pass (prob someone with the event or another distiller) and starts talking abv vs barrel size - I just walked away. But still curious if I'm off track in my thinking?

[NZChris]

Abv affects a lot of things. How it reacts with plastics. How it reacts with wood. How it reacts with the volatile acids that create the flavors that some distillers want.

If you want to imitate a particular style of product, try to find out what abv your favourite distiller barrels at, and try it yourself.