Angel's share

[20literpotstill]

I've been using the smaller 5 litre charred oak barrels to age my corn whiskey and single malt barley recipes, but I lose about 50% or more the first year. I've soaked the barrels inside and out for 48 hours, even drove the stave rings closer to center. In March 2018 I put up 5 litres of 70% Scots, and yesterday checked the proof. There were only 2.15 litres but the proof was 186! The angels only got water! I added 2.8 liters of distilled water to fill the barrel, which dropped my proof to 80. Is this typical? I was hoping to store it in the barrel for 5 years, but I don't want to add water again. I've had similar results in my corn whiskey as well. Maybe 5 litres is just too small a barrel to start with? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[Swedish Pride]

yes the barrel is too small to store for 5 years.
sounds like your experience is typical of the loss you get with smaller barrels

[fizzix]

One year is my maximum for my 3-liter and 5-liter barrels.
The confines of these smaller casks allows greater wood contact with the liquor.
And as you say, the Angels' share gets ridiculous beyond that time.

[still_stirrin]

I copied this from “The Angel’s Share” by Oak Barrels Ltd.:

Using a smaller sized barrel changes the amount of surface area or the amount of wood barrel in contact with the contents. This larger ratio of wood to liquor has a direct impact on the flavor and length of the aging process and is the very reason that aging in a smaller barrel is much faster. For example, liquor can be aged out in four to six months when aged inside of a 20 L barrel instead of years and years using the standard large 53-59 gallon barrel.

The rule of thumb for aging in smaller barrels:
—> 20 L Oak Barrel – four to six months
—> 10 L Oak Barrel – two to four months
—> 5 L Oak Barrel – four to six weeks
—> 2 L Oak Barrel – two to four weeks
—> 1 L Oak Barrel - one to two weeks

Hope this helps.
ss

[20literpotstill]

That's incredible new knowledge to me, thanks!

[seamusm53]

Big players with 55 gallon barrels don't bother but can't hobbyists slow the angel share loss - I know, angering angels is probably unwise - but coating the outside with wax - wrapping the barrel in plastic - anything to slow evaporative loss. Couldn't this help? I have a 5 gal barrel stored in multiple trash bags hoping to accomplish this. Can't hurt IMO.

[OtisT]

Big players with 55 gallon barrels don't bother but can't hobbyists slow the angel share loss - I know, angering angels is probably unwise - but coating the outside with wax - wrapping the barrel in plastic - anything to slow evaporative loss. Couldn't this help? I have a 5 gal barrel stored in multiple trash bags hoping to accomplish this. Can't hurt IMO.

Yes, hobbyists can accomplish this and just one way is by using a proper barrel for small volume long term aging.

Badmotivator style barrels are a bit stingy with the angle’s share and are great for long term aging of small volumes. They are made of a stainless steel pan with an oak barrel head pressed into the end.

2 gallon Badmo with spigot

The Badmo barrel’s wood surface area to volume ratio are relatively close to that of a 55 gallon barrel, a bit lower. The barrel head is the same thickness as a big barrel, so breathing is similar to the big barrels.

Badmotivator is a member here on HD and he came up with the idea and has a great thread that shows the evolution of making them. I’ve made dozens myself from 1 to 3 gallons in size and I love them.

Here is Badmo’s original thread. viewtopic.php?f=4&t=60032

He also has a great u-tube channel under the same name that shows each of his construction steps in video. Very cool stuff.

Otis

[Oldvine Zin]

What I have found in my aging environment (basement in Seattle) is in a 1 gal barrel I loose about 50% in 2 years, in my 5 gal barrels I loose about a half gal in 2 years. Loving the 5 gal barrels and looking forwards to try some 10's

OVZ

[Oldvine Zin]

Draining a 5 gal barrel of HBB, hoping to get at least 4.5 gals out

OVZ

[Expat]

Draining a 5 gal barrel of HBB, hoping to get at least 4.5 gals out

HBB.JPG

OVZ

Looks identical to the barrel i'm using Really making me look forward to the day when i'll be pulling my AG Only 1 month in so far.

Two years seems the sweet point from what I see. Question, was it a new barrel or previously filled when you started?

[Oldvine Zin]

Looks identical to the barrel i'm using Really making me look forward to the day when i'll be pulling my AG Only 1 month in so far.

Two years seems the sweet point from what I see. Question, was it a new barrel or previously filled when you started?

It was a fresh Gibbs and yes two years in the 5 gal gives me the flavor profile that I like. Next fill will be a rum.

OVZ