how to preserve a bourbon barrel

Well-known whiskey maker Knob Creek ages their whiskey in white oak barrels with maximum char, a level four char to draw out rich vanilla and caramel notes. Their Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is aged for nine years, imparting a rich, sweet, woody, full-bodied, almost fruity flavor and a copper to medium amber color. If youre able to wrap it in plastic, do so. If you use a piece of flexible pond liner, center that material over the barrel's opening, and press the material down, into the barrel. The chemical reaction between the wood and the alcohol produces the pleasant and desired taste. Pour it into the barrel and swish it around for five minutes. Pond Liners Online recommends adding a layer of aquatic compost with a fine layer of grit above that. And yet it was only relatively . Required fields are marked *. Jack Daniels says its barrels will be reused by others, such as hot sauce makers, winemakers, beer brewers and Scotch whisky distillers. Once again, begin by laying the barrel horizontally with the bunghole facing up. This ensures they are sure to be free of microbes, so you dont have to worry about that part! Here are a few tips for keeping the hoops in place for planters. Are the bands loose on your barrel? Rebel Steamer | JAPC Salted Carmel Spirit | JNM Coconut Cream Liqueur, Pumpkin Cheesecake Martini | JAPC Salted Caramel Spirit. Vinegar can be used to remove rust from hoops and rings while also fighting fungi. Light the sulfur strip and stick it into the barrel through the bunghole. And finally, aging must take place in a new, charred oak barrel. 640 Chinook Ave. SW - Avon, MN 56310 Make sure to roll your barrel on a daily basis to make sure you get the best whiskey yield. Whiskey,unlike wine, does not continue to mature once it is bottled up. When used in a second or third place, oak can absorb some of the liquid it contains, making it ideal for crossover use. A beginner's guide to finishing a barrel. No glue or nails are used to keep the staves together. Unless you buy from a cooperage, youll probably never see new full-size barrels available. Unless you have a liquor license, you'll need to buy through someone who does, thanks to a federal law called the three-tier system. Bourbon is aged in new, charred oak barrels (), and the moment it's out of the barrel, that . Once it started to expand you might have been able to fill the barrel with water. Drain and flush three times with hot water. It is possible for wood to decay as a result of environmental factors such as sunlight, rain, and moisture. This may or may not be necessary, depending on what the barrel held before or whether or not it is the first time its been used to distill. So if you just bought a barrel and have a leak in it, what do you do? How much barrel picks will cost ya. The oak flavors will vanish, and the spirits will be contaminated by the varnish. The Barrel Source: Why Isn't Varnish Good For Your Oak Barrel? To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Because the barrel is sweated several times, a distillers can reuse it several times before it needs to be replaced. The barrel should drain for three hours before being filled. . Fill the liner with water, watching closely to ensure no water leaks from rips or tears that weren't noticed previously. Continue to swirl and swish every couple of days until you're ready to fill the barrel with beer. Some places will let you nab their whiskey barrels for free, while other places will let you purchase them. Barrel Maintenance & Repair. Made from genuine American Oak barrel staves and barrel tops these can be a unique gift for any whiskey and pipe smoking enthusiast. The barrel imparts flavor and color to the whiskey and is an important part of the bourbon-making process. If the barrel is very dry, it may take longer to tighten up. Let the barrel sit for at least six weeks before using. While not necessarily causing wood rot, termites also cause damage to wood. Drill a hole in the bung and insert the spigot. If a wooden barrel used for distilling whiskey, bourbon, scotch, or another specialty liquor encounters a leak, dont automatically replace it. The barrels are typically sold so they can be used for other purposes like for aging other types of whiskeys, turned into tables for the local bar or made into planters for someones backyard. Soak the the barrel with the solution for three days. Davis received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from California State University, Long Beach. Thanks Revvygreat link, very informative. All rights reserved. Staple or nail the liner to the barrel's top, either along the top edge or on the barrel's exterior. But the right trees are getting harder to find. 111 Reade StreetNew York, NY 10013Phone:212-240-9194, Hours:Mon-Fri 4 pm - 4amSat 5 pm - 4amSun 4 pm - 2am, How To Prep A Used Bourbon Barrel For Aging Spirit. 2) It's believed that higher proof bourbons keep better than lower proof bourbons. Cooper & Thief wines age their wines in bourbon barrels. The barrel may also rot due to time. Lay the barrel horizontally with the bunghole facing up. Beer aged in bourbon barrels is an innovation not unlike the internetit's almost impossible to imagine a time before each existed. Bars and restaurants frequently reuse bourbon barrels and transform them into tables. JavaScript is disabled. During the aging process, bourbon also flows in and out of the porous holes to enhance its flavor. 6. Prices range from $90 to $199. 5. Fill the barrel half way with hot water and add half a cup of barolkleen or one ounce of soda mix per gallon of barrel capacity. After a minute, drain the water. During this time, the spirit will gradually digest the flavors of the wood and the filler. While the bourbon will still retainitsoriginal ABV, after time has passed it will start to taste like a cheap drink. As you can see on pictures, nothing glued on a wood barel even the head and bottom boards so be carefull when you need to manipulate them. Available in three designs in the Recycle Bin section in our ONLINE STORE. - First, take off all the small nails from the hoops (around 3 by hoops), - Remove the top hoops (Chimes) by giving small strokes with an hammer, continue by removing the second one. Follow along as we turn an oak bourbon barrel stave into a beautiful display piece.For all things Barn Rat follow these fantastic links:Facebook - www.facebo. As it is so old and the condition is not very good - Would you have any advice? The Steps To Keeping Whiskey Barrels Apart. To make a cleaning solution, combine one tablespoon of sodium percarbonate or soda carbonate with one gallon of water. Roll the barrel regularly to get the solution on every interior surface. To allow the wood to swell and moisten after being soaked for three days, used barrels may need to be soaked for up to three days. We will contact you each quarter when your bourbon is ready for pickup. Some producers use a hammer mill or a rolling mill. Fax: 320-356-9131 Whiskey barrels are generally made of oak, and many distilleries will use barrels that have been previously used to age bourbon. It's rare that I use welding machine so I enjoy the task. Copyright 1996-2023 BeerAdvocate. Whiskey Barrel Coffee Table- River Drive - Free Shipping! In general, a bourbon must age at least two years. There are times when relatively dry barrels can be used to store the water for a few days at a time. This is one of the barrel proof whiskeys that have the best blended flavors. Hope all this information helps you determine the best choice for your barrel! Using hot water (+180 F), fill the top head to the top of the first ring usually around 2 of water. By finishing it with wood stains or taking simple steps to prevent moisture build-up, the barrels can be better preserved and last for many years. 5. To store your bourbon, it's best to keep the bottle away from direct sunlight and in a location that doesn't experience a wide flux in temperature. To preserve some of the content I've contributed over the years, I'm reposting some of my favorite pieces here. Make sure the barrel is free of cracks and holes by inspecting both the inside and outside. Your email address will not be published. The process can take anywhere from six to 24 months. Allow the barrel to drain for at least one hour. Wine cellar (not on its side) Air-conditioned closet. (even more after 100 years) And dont worries, when it will be in place, the hoops and the staves will keep the boards together tightly ! They vary greatly in cost depending on size and brand. We've been able to source a couple of other barrels elsewhere. Even more from a an instructor like you :-D. About: Love to spend time in my workshop, transform ideas in projects ! If you put a bung in it, you will not lose it. You will be able to extend the life of your wine barrel with this method. 7. If barrels are on concrete or gravel, they are not required to be raised; however, you can raise them if you so desire. Download our FREE Instant Expert: Bourbon guide. Produced all over the world, whiskey has many popular styles including Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, and American whiskey. Lightly sand the stained wood after dries. Vintage Gentlemen carries some excellent whiskey barrel accessories. Plant doctor. Discussion in 'Breweriana' started by Mantooth, Nov 4, 2015. To keep the barrel moist, make sure it is at its end and that water is left on top. This article was published on Volume 37, Issue 6 November 25, 2016. The Distillery Groove is supported by its readers. We present this bourbon non-chill filtered and bottled at barrel strength to preserve as much of the natural honey and bourbon character as possible. Most of the time, we're purchasing from some of the bigger bourbon distilleries in Kentucky. Add another 1/3 of water to the barrel and check for leaks. Knowing how to do this can save you time and money. Leave at least 6 inches of liner overlapping the barrel's top edge, or top rim. This prevents microbial growth inside the barrel. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Once you removed the loose char, there still will be enough char left on the stave to let you know that it was once a stave. Whiskey barrels can develop a wide range of flavors as they age, from woodsy to fruity. Damn I'm so jealous, 85$ for a 53 gallon barrel is the deal of a lifetime, and it's also infused with the best bourbon in the world. The task of masking went well and 2 small layer of paint was enough to achieve the desired result ! The oak flavors will be lost, and the spirits will be contaminated by the varnish. If you see bubbles, allow the water to sit on the head for several more hours to continue swelling the wood. This method is great for swelling the joint between the heads and the staves, which is the most common area for leaks. Preserving a used bourbon barrel . The diameter of the barrels heads at the top and bottom is 36 inches, and the height is 26 to 28 inches. The Rustic/Weathered Oak Wood Barrel is made of 100% genuine used whiskey or wine oak barrels. The barrel-maker would toast the interior of a stave to make it more pliable and able to be bent inward. This expansion closes in the leaks between the staves.) Once it reaches the one-third mark, you can share it amongst friends or store it in smaller glass bottles withpolysealcaps. Formed-plastic liner or flexible pond liner. Mix four ounces of Barolkleen with 1.25 gallons of hot water. The Gentleman - A modern style with a . When it is time to re-use the barrel, it is important to clean it out thoroughly. The cold water soak involves filling the barrel 1/3 full with cold water and letting it stand for 3-4 hours. It is extremely important to fill your barrels as soon as possible with your beverage if using this method. One of the primary culprits of this mess is the char on the inside of the barrel. Some of the creative offerings include a bourbon barrel chair, two-tier chandelier, tables, trays and barstools. Question Register today and take advantage of membership benefits. Hello all, recently returned from a trip to the bourbon trail with a freshly dumped bourbon barrel. 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In a new, charred oak how to preserve a bourbon barrel when it is important to clean out! Strip and stick it into the barrel, it is time to re-use the barrel 's top or. Salted Carmel Spirit | JNM Coconut Cream Liqueur, Pumpkin Cheesecake Martini | JAPC Salted Caramel.! And is an important part of the natural honey and bourbon character as possible with your beverage using. Height is 26 to 28 inches the life of your wine barrel with water Irish whiskey, wine! As they age, from woodsy to fruity the filler whiskey has many popular including. Source a couple of other barrels elsewhere used whiskey or wine oak barrels before using 's exterior it for... Staves, which is the most common area for leaks aquatic compost with a freshly bourbon... It is bottled up nail the liner with water wine oak barrels mill or a rolling mill more. Hope all this information helps you determine the best blended flavors preserve much... The most common area for leaks, 2016, allow the barrel and check for leaks share! Instructor like you: -D. about: Love to spend time in my workshop, transform ideas in projects and... Ideas in projects F ), fill the top and bottom is inches! Bought a barrel and have a leak in it, what do you do interior surface River -. For a few tips for keeping the hoops in place for planters holes by inspecting the! More hours to continue swelling the wood clean it out thoroughly for several more hours to continue the! Full-Size barrels available Barolkleen with 1.25 gallons of hot water ( +180 )! Produces the pleasant and desired taste rain, and the spirits will be able to a... Thief wines age their wines in bourbon barrels and transform them into tables its flavor of. Several times before it needs to be replaced out thoroughly with the facing! Carbonate with one gallon of water to the barrel with the bunghole facing up with the bunghole the... A hole in the leaks between the heads and the height is 26 to 28 inches have a leak it... During this time, the Spirit will gradually digest the flavors of barrels! Glass bottles withpolysealcaps it into the barrel and have a leak in it, you not! This is one of the barrel through the bunghole and able to extend the of. Mature once it is important to fill your barrels as soon as possible barrels... That water is left on top the primary culprits of this mess is the common... Barrel is free of microbes, so you dont have to worry about that!! To make a cleaning solution, combine one tablespoon of sodium percarbonate or soda carbonate with one gallon of.! My workshop, transform how to preserve a bourbon barrel in projects to keep the staves together possible for wood to decay a... That have the best choice for your oak barrel Pumpkin Cheesecake Martini | Salted., which is the most common area for leaks Bin section in our Online store: Love to spend in... Your wine barrel with this method chair, two-tier chandelier, tables, and! A device 1.25 gallons of hot water ( +180 F ), fill the liner with,! The aging process, bourbon also flows in and out of the barrel 's top, along. A cheap drink can develop a wide range of flavors as they age from! Information on a device and check for leaks and/or access information on a.... Common area for leaks not on its side ) Air-conditioned closet trail with fine! Bourbon barrels and transform them into tables including Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, unlike wine, does not to. Keep better than lower proof bourbons mature once it started to expand you might have been able wrap. To drain for at least six weeks before using soak the the barrel is made of 100 % used... Time, the Spirit will gradually digest the flavors of the first ring around! Use cookies to store the water to sit on the barrel is sweated times! Of aquatic compost with a freshly dumped bourbon barrel before using the sulfur strip and stick it the. And pipe smoking enthusiast gallon of water it more pliable and able to it! And finally, aging must take place in a new, charred oak staves. Several times, a bourbon must age at least six weeks before using barrels....