I went to the local home brew supplies store to restock on toasted chips. On seeing they had none, I asked the owner if he had any toasted oak. He immediately started searching; through the essence shelves No, I told him, not an essence, I wanted real oak chips. Oh, he said, that might color your spirits Fair dinkum. Unless its a turbo and essence, how can you give any credence to advice they give
I get a little annoyed when I see what the brew shops charge for oak chips when I know where they buy it from and how much they pay. If you want oak chips find a cooperage and buy their oak scraps thats what the brew shops do.