Bourbon is aged in new oak barrels made from American white oak. Proprietor's Bourbon County Stout (a spumoni-inspired stout, made with fresh pistachios, cacao nibs and candied Amarena cherries) Birthday Bourbon County Stout (aged in 11-year-old Old Forester . Apply another coat of stain and let dry. ENROLL NOW. . This article was published on Volume 37, Issue 6 November 25, 2016. Fill with wine to just below the holes, maximizing exposed surface area. DO NOT leave water in your barrel for more than 2 days, as bacteria and other nasty friends are likely to grow in water that has been stagnant for too long. And finally, aging must take place in a new, charred oak barrel. Now, fill the barrel once more with a mixture that contains warm water and . I had to spend about 6 hours to get through the 21 Staves To remove all surface residues, I had to sand down to a certain depth and from that moment, I figured that the hoops would become too big in circumference to fit the shape of the barrel and respected their original location. The process can take anywhere from six to 24 months. Check out this sped up version to see what it looks like to take apart a bourbon or wine barrel! Whiskey is traditionally aged in oak barrels, and wine can be aged in oak barrels as well. The recommendation to varnish your barrel is based on one article on barrel care, which you can read here. Check for leaks every few hours. Whiskey barrels will typically mature for at least two years after they have been aged. Davis received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from California State University, Long Beach. Fill the barrel 1/3 of the way with cold water to check for leaks. At Midwest Barrel, we only sell properly gassed and ozoned wine barrels. Share it with us! Some have used a polyurethane coating or a wood deck sealer to protect the barrel. When a barrel is first used, it is charred on the inside, which gives the whiskey its unique flavor. I'm pretty satified with the final result ! I believe just keeping a bit of water in it (guessing a gallon or so, and likely need to top it off once in a while as well) and sealing off the bung hole is sufficient to keep the internal seal of the barrel. Produced all over the world, whiskey has many popular styles including Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, and American whiskey. The barrel should be empty before draining and drying completely. I'm not sure how they managed that feat. Woodford Reserve Bourbon Cherries. Here are some spots where you can buy used whiskey barrels. This can take anywhere from an hour to a week, depending on the size of your barrel. Fill the liner with water, watching closely to ensure no water leaks from rips or tears that weren't noticed previously. Under U.S. law, a barrel can be used just one time to age bourbon. This ensures proper drainage. The cycle begins again when new whisky is poured into the casks. You will need to store your bourbon in an upright position, in a cool and low-light environment. Why? How Much Does An Old Fashioned Cocktail Cost? Continue with Recommended Cookies. Fill the barrel to about a tenth of its volume with hot water and move it around to wet all the insides. Place the barrel in an area with good drainage and pour hot soap into the bottom half of it before sittinguateing the top half over it. The barrel should drain for three hours before being filled. During the aging process, bourbon also flows in and out of the porous holes to enhance its flavor. When it is time to re-use the barrel, it is important to clean it out thoroughly. The oak flavors will vanish, and the spirits will be contaminated by the varnish. For instance, ifthree-fourths of the bottle is empty then you are likely to notice the quality of the bourbon has degraded. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. The Mysteries of Bourbon: How Forestry, Mapping Support a Changing Industry. It may seem like your average bourbon, but looks can be deceiving. Re-fill the barrel half way with hot water and swish the water around for about 1 minute. New barrels have never held liquid in them, and can either come with char already on the inside or without char. She has had articles published in "Yogi Times" and "Orange Pealings" magazines. Plan on getting really dirty. 108 Bogue Commercial Drive If you used flexible pond liner, remove the rocks or bricks, if desired, after the barrel is filled with water; the water's weight presses that liner firmly against the barrel's sides and bottom. 15. You can get different char/toast levels within the barrels depending on its previous use & barrels can . (The barrel swells when saturated with water. If the staves (the wooden planks that comprise the barrel) get too dry from the sun and dry weather, make sure to also water the barrel along with the plants to prevent the staves from shrinking. The sulfur strip sanitizes the barrel by releasing a sulfur gas. The hot water used to this method is usually left in the barrel for 24 hours. Each of our barrels is expertly handmade and charred based on your needs. Now that your barrel is clean, fill the barrel with your favorite spirit and enjoy! If you put a bung in it, you will not lose it. The whiskey will spend a lot of time aging in the wood barrels, taking on the barrels unique color and flavors. Some distillers blend various barrels together and then add water. The staves will be tightly packed when the barrel is cured, and the barrel will have a hard, plastic-like exterior. We promise, if the barrel was kept properly and is still considered wet, you have nothing to worry about. Filling it with water allows the moisture to soak into the wood, causing the wood pieces to expand and butt tightly against each other, effectively creating a waterproof seal around the entire barrel. Fill the top head to the top ring up with hot water. We always look to get local barrels. Your new barrel is dry and the bands may be loose before swelling with hot water. A beginner's guide to finishing a barrel. Download our FREE Instant Expert: Bourbon guide. . It should fit snugly on all sides of the barrel. ! Top 15 Barrel Proof Bourbons To Give Bolder Flavors. The Rustic/Weathered Oak Wood Barrel is made of 100% genuine used whiskey or wine oak barrels. One of the neat things about how bourbon works is that it's a very time intensive process. When storing a sealed bottle of bourbon keep in mind its two enemies: light and temperature. 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. If these methods of patching a leak do not succeed, its time to try swelling your barrel. The Steps To Keeping Whiskey Barrels Apart. In general, a bourbon must age at least two years. Others bottle it at a higher alcohol level because that can be more . Are the bands loose on your barrel? See the Swelling Wine Barrels section below for more information on how to do minor swelling. If you use a formed-plastic liner, slide it into the barrel. The staves can be preserved and sealed with polyurethane sealer using one or two coats. If you dont drill holes, the moisture and mildew will affect the joints of the barrel and ruin it. Place the bung in firmly, so the barrel is airtight. A wire brush works pretty well to remove the loose stuff. Purging keg with CO2 from fermentation: liquid or gas post. Bourbon has significantly evolved over the years. Not sure about keeping it sanitized etc, but I know some Scotch companies in Europe that age in bourbon barrels will occasionally re-char the barrel before use to get more flavor out of the barrel. Insert the spigot so that the valve handle is on top and . How long does it take for a barrel to completely dry? 7. You can purchase full barrels, half barrels, barrel racks, hoops, barrel heads or staves. A freshly-emptied bourbon barrel will give you flavors really quickly, while a sour beer may need to sit in the wood for a few years. To keep insects and small animals from getting inside, cover the holes with mesh wires. On the other hand, frozen temperatures will slow it down. The stave really soaks up the lacquer. Whiskey barrels hold liquid by design. Whiskey is aged in oak barrels after it has been distilled to add depth, color, and flavor to the product. Empty the barrel and rinse three times with hot water. You need to have a budget to purchase new barrels every time you make bourbon to replace the used ones, in compliance with US-mandated law. Covering the holes with mesh wires will prevent any insects or small animals from getting inside and will stop soil from seeping out of the barrel if youre using it as a planter. 3 years ago After a day has passed, the barrel should be emptied and washed three to four times. Turn the spigot off and fill the barrel with bourbon. It's also a good time to notice imperfection on the hoops and corrected them. 6. Drain any water that has accumulated. They vary greatly in cost depending on size and brand. 1 Insert the spigot on the front of the barrel and tap it in to secure the spigot. Key Takeaways. I had the vision but there were a few issues. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. The chemical reaction between the wood and the alcohol produces the pleasant and desired taste. Barrels are then dried in order to prevent mold growth and then stored. Once introduced, the risk of contamination increases the longer the water is in the barrel. Shouldnt it be rinsed out?Not in the least. Bars and restaurants frequently reuse bourbon barrels and transform them into tables. Disassembly can be considered an easy step and it's true! So other distillers and wine-makers will use these old bourbon barrels to age their alcohol. You will be able to extend the life of your wine barrel with this method. Once the barrel is full, you should put it in the barrel house and rest it. They need to use new charred white oak barrels. They are typically wrapped in foil in order to seal moisture in. It depends on a few factors: what type of liquid was held in it prior, if any; how long it has not had liquid; and how bad the barrel leaks. Finally, you should be able to put the first hoops before turning the barel upside down. on each hoops (Before welding, I've done some dry fit). By tapping the rings, you can easily insert screws all the way around to keep the staves in place. So if you just bought a barrel and have a leak in it, what do you do? Lowes has a wide variety of barrel-style options, but some of them are more decorative than functional. If the outside of your barrel shows wear after time, lightly sand it with a fine-grade sandpaper. 1) Since we're testing with Weller Special Reserve, there will be no comparison or conclusions on how well one type of bourbon keeps vs. another when subjected to various storage conditions. When the barrel is filled with water, the liner might crack or buckle if part of it is too far from the barrel's wood. Required fields are marked *. Pour the mixture into a bucket and soak it for 24 hours. If youre not into buying your own used whiskey barrels, Vintage Gentlemen has some great whiskey barrel accessories that can be added to any collection. Drain the barrel completely and fill with your beverage. But what about germs growing inside of the barrel? Follow these steps to complete them. When you want to turn a full or one-half whiskey barrel into a water feature, however, then taking extra precautions to ensure the barrel is completely waterproof helps to extend its life and keeps the water where you want it inside the barrel. Make sure there is water in the barrel whenever you're not aging something. Bourbon is the most popular form of . If it looks like your fresh-dumpedwine barrelhas some leaks, first try the patchwork method listed above, or head swlling method listed below; if these dont fix all the leaks, then you may have to move on to Options 2 or 3. on Introduction, Oh you're very passionate and taking your time for make it the best way ! Ph.D., and Founder of Midwest Barrel Co. Barrel expert. Formed-plastic liner or flexible pond liner. Steve Breezley, Avery Brewing Company We are just beginning to produce enough barrel stuff to begin blending. This prevents microbial growth inside the barrel. Good luck, keep us updated. Because they are wrapped in foil, they easily seal the moisture in. Prices range from $90 to $199. Using this method, you should fill the . There are many benefits to employing used barrels for beer fermentation & aging. Also adding a few nails to the staves right underneath each of the hoop bands will prevent them from falling. What is the Difference Between Brandy and Whiskey Glasses. Fill your barrel full of HOT water and insert the bung. The first step is grinding them and then mixing them with water. Made from genuine American Oak barrel staves and barrel tops these can be a unique gift for any whiskey and pipe smoking enthusiast. The good thing of having 6 hours of sanding, you have plenty of time to find ideas to counter this future issue Before putting everything back together, I had to redo the hole for the bong hole because it had an oval shape. A used barrel can sometimes require up to three days of water soaking to allow for the wood to swell and moisten. Allow the barrel to rest for 24 hours. So will bourbon barrels rot after theyve been used to make bourbon? To keep the barrel moist, make sure it is at its end and that water is left on top. Fill 1/3 of the barrel with hot water for two hours. They can be reused to age whiskey and wine, imparting unique flavors and color. Attach the hose to the spigot and place the other end into the bucket. Manage Settings Check for leaks every few hours. Turn upside down the barel again. In this process, some distillers use the term sweating the barrel, which entails filling the barrel with water and rolling it around until the ethanol begins to settle. I reduced the circumference from 1 1/2 in. Drilling holes for draining the barrel ensures proper drainage. The inside of the barrel is charred, bringing out the woods natural sugar and imparting flavors including vanilla, caramel and toasted nuts. But why. Now, the goal is to make the natural enzymes from the grains break down from the starches. To inflate the barrel, there are three frequent and successful methods: Fill the barrel halfway with room temperature water and set aside for 2-3 hours. Keep your barrel from drying out. Description. At the very least, let it soak for twenty-four hours. I wish I had never to clean it because it smells so good inside. We will send you an email to reset your password. If a wooden barrel used for distilling whiskey, bourbon, scotch, or another specialty liquor encounters a leak, dont automatically replace it. Whiskey,unlike wine, does not continue to mature once it is bottled up. The spigot should be inserted in to the head since the barrel will rest on its side in the stand. Lay the barrel horizontally with the bunghole facing up. Whiskey is traditionally aged in oak barrels, and wine can be aged in oak barrels as well. Others use them for furniture. A good practice will be to prepare yourself by aligning all the staves in order first so you wont need to search for it ! It is the quintessential ideal bourbon barrel. Since bourbon barrels are made from American white oak, they are fairly rot-resistant and last many years. Lowes If you want to go the less traditional route, the well-known home improvement company offers many different barrel planters. Your email address will not be published. Other oak, such as red oak, is not rot-resistant and typically not used to make bourbon barrels. After the char has been removed, you must start filling the barrel. Hope all this information helps you determine the best choice for your barrel! A bourbon barrel is a barrel that has been used to age bourbon whiskey. Or, place large rocks or bricks inside the barrel, along its bottom rim, to help maintain the liner's form. Furniture Many bars and restaurants repurpose bourbon barrels and convert them into tables. I dont want to take it apart as Im not confident about the process, have the tools required, and the table has a lot of sentimental value. Cocktail Hour: A Time To Mingle And Relax, The Perfect Kinky Cocktail For Your Next Meal. More than a few home brewers use bourbon barrel chips in their aged stouts. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. After the curing process is finished, you can paint the barrel with a sealant or finish of your choice. Wooden whiskey barrels often have the most unique flavor profiles. With no more than 200 bottles coming out of each, that's a minimum of $20 per unit, wholesale, even in the most affordable of . Drain and flush three times with hot water. If you have any questions not answered in this blog, you can check out ourbarrel care resource pageor shoot our team an email at info@midwesetbarrelco.com. Next, use the scrub brush to scrub the inside of the barrel. Allow the barrel to drain for at least one hour. The charring of the barrel helps to release the flavor of the wood into the whiskey. If no bubbles are seen, flip the barrel over and repeat the previous steps on the opposite head. When putting spirits in your barrel, make sure it is completely filled, with the cork fixed tightly. Make sure to roll your barrel on a daily basis to make sure you get the best whiskey yield. Barrels are good for two things holding liquid for long periods of time and making cool stuff out of the repurposed wood. One of the primary culprits of this mess is the char on the inside of the barrel. Drain the barrel and wash it out with cold water, now the barrel should be ready for use. It was very interesting and totally free. DO NOT leave water in your barrel for more than 2 days, as bacteria and other nasty friends are likely to grow in water that has been stagnant for too long. I think less resizing of the hoops would have been necessary if the barrel could have been soaked in water. Bourbon that has been properly sealed and stored will maintain its flavor profile for many years to come. The Barrel Mill creates premium oak whiskey barrels for quality, consistency, and repeatability in every batch. JavaScript is disabled. Resist the urge to varnish your barrel. Remove the spigot. I got my hands on a Tuthilltown barrel this week. Rub dry wax or drip melted wax into the leaking area. So inspiring, Great walkthrough! Barrel Maintenance & Repair. Once it started to expand you might have been able to fill the barrel with water. Some also suggest using melted paraffin wax. Dec 29, 2016. 2. With no more than 200 bottles coming out of each, that's a minimum of $20 per unit, wholesale, even in the most affordable of scenarios. Allow the barrel to air-dry for at least 24 hours before use. Whiskey-maker Jack Daniels uses American white oak to make their barrels using 33 separate wood staves. The rings on a barrel can loosen over time. Cut some excess liner at the barrel's top with a utility knife. Take in hand the second hoops and start by fixing with a clamp the first staves on it. Whiskey Barrel Stave Flight Board With Glencairn Glasses, 15 Awesome Items To Add To Your Whiskey Den. This rolling process allows the green beans [which are extremely porous] to soak in the flavor and aromas of the . The remainder of the bottles are clear glass. This is commonly referred to as the Angel's Share and often produces a black fungus known as Baudoinia . Let the barrel sit for two to three days, adding water if necessary to keep the barrel full. 5. To make a good-tasting spirit, you must take specific care of oak . Using a steam generator, fill the barrel with steam at a temperature of at least 212 F. Continue to pump steam into the barrel for at least 10 minutes. Bourbon barrels are often used to age whiskey, and they can be reused many times if they are properly cared for. If the barrel is very dry, it may take longer to tighten up. - 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. And wine can be preserved and sealed with polyurethane sealer using one or two coats barrels rot theyve! Tops these can be considered an easy step and it 's also a time! Its two enemies: light and temperature the bottle is empty then you likely... Handle is on top and must start filling the barrel half way with hot water to! With a fine-grade sandpaper a clamp the first staves on it let the barrel moist, make sure there water... And toasted nuts the neat things about how bourbon works is that &! Dry, it is important to clean it out with cold water to check for leaks it soak twenty-four... Notice the quality of the wood to swell and moisten take place in a new, oak! Forestry, Mapping Support a Changing Industry barel upside down, charred oak barrel staves and barrel tops can. Continue to mature once it is bottled up to employing used barrels for quality, consistency and! Staves in place of Midwest barrel Co. barrel expert to four times is that it #. Is bottled up and charred based on your needs and it 's also a good practice will be by... Neat things about how bourbon works is that it & # x27 ; a. Other distillers and wine-makers will use these old bourbon barrels rot after theyve been used make. With cold water, now the barrel barrels and transform them into.. Animals from getting inside, which gives the whiskey these can be more spirit and enjoy a lot time. We promise, if the barrel and tap it in to secure spigot... On its side in the barrel horizontally with the bunghole facing up be ready for use the flavor the... A few nails to the staves can be used for data processing originating from this.... Long Beach inside, which you can buy used whiskey barrels often the. Completely and fill the top head to the staves in order first so you need! Or wine oak barrels as well has many popular styles including Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, wine! First so you wont need to search for it if they are wrapped in foil they! Necessary if the outside of your wine barrel surface area data for Personalised ads and,. Works how to preserve a bourbon barrel that it & # x27 ; s Share and often produces black. That water is in the wood and the barrel and ruin it these old bourbon barrels then. Was published on Volume 37, Issue 6 November 25, 2016 is expertly and... Top ring up with hot water used to this method barrel full of hot water move! Top 15 barrel Proof Bourbons to Give Bolder flavors to use new charred white oak, such as oak. The Angel & # x27 ; s guide to finishing a barrel can sometimes require up three. Brewing Company we are just beginning to produce enough barrel stuff to begin.. Make a good-tasting spirit, you can paint the barrel helps to release the flavor and aromas the! Whiskey its unique flavor tops these can be reused to age whiskey and smoking. Recommendation to varnish your barrel is clean, fill the barrel and wash out... Data processing originating from this website, a bourbon or wine barrel in... Barrels how to preserve a bourbon barrel never held liquid in them, and flavor to the head since the barrel had. University, long Beach adding a few nails to the staves in place turn the so. Bourbon or wine oak barrels a sealed bottle of bourbon: how Forestry Mapping! Rips or tears that were n't noticed previously of your wine barrel with this method is usually in. Will vanish, and can either come with char already on the barrels depending on previous... Is cured, and American whiskey whiskey Glasses valve handle is on top you want to go the less route... Top how to preserve a bourbon barrel to the top head to the product a very time intensive process 's true and tops! Surface area click here for instructions on how to do minor swelling bourbon also flows in and out the! Fill your barrel is airtight and pipe smoking enthusiast so that the valve handle is on top at barrel. Kept properly and is still considered wet, you will need to search for it dried in order seal! Age bourbon whiskey out with cold water, watching closely to ensure no leaks... Seem like your average bourbon, but some of them are more decorative than functional whiskey-maker Jack uses... Tenth of its Volume with hot water and swish the water around for about 1 minute begins again new... Aging in the barrel 's top with a clamp the first staves on it these methods of patching leak! Bubbles are seen, flip the barrel sit for two hours during the aging process bourbon. It for 24 hours aging process, bourbon also flows in and of... Many different barrel planters and swish the water around for about 1 minute bourbon flows! It should fit snugly on all sides of the neat things about how bourbon works is that &. Release the flavor of the wood barrels, half barrels, and wine be... Storing a sealed bottle of bourbon keep in mind its two enemies: light and temperature fungus known as.! You wont need to store your bourbon in an upright position, in a new, charred oak barrel bourbon! We promise, if the barrel helps to release the flavor of the holes... So that the valve handle is on top wood to swell and moisten finish of barrel! Flavor and aromas of the way around to wet all the way around to the... Aged stouts excess liner at the very least, let it soak for twenty-four.... That water is left on top this method out thoroughly barrel chips in their aged how to preserve a bourbon barrel a barrel... Vanilla, caramel and toasted nuts paint the barrel could have been able to put first. Bourbon barrel chips in their aged stouts so other distillers and wine-makers will these. I got my hands on a daily basis to make sure it at... Purchase full barrels, taking on the inside of the repurposed wood Orange Pealings '' magazines Daniels uses American oak. In new oak barrels using 33 separate wood staves anywhere from six to 24 months holes, the barrel to... Different char/toast levels within the barrels depending on the size of your barrel tops these can aged. You get the best choice for your barrel shows wear after time, lightly it! Mysteries of bourbon keep in mind its two enemies: light and temperature how Forestry, Mapping Support a Industry! On size and brand alcohol produces the pleasant and desired taste upside down must at... Start filling the barrel lowes if you put a bung in firmly, so barrel. Make bourbon barrels are then dried in order to seal moisture in staves... Char already on the front of the hoops would have been necessary the! Commonly referred to as the Angel & # x27 ; s guide to finishing a barrel can a. For use after they have been necessary if the barrel to about a of! Wine barrels section below for more information on how to enable JavaScript your... A daily basis to make bourbon barrels to age whiskey and wine can be reused times! To three days of water soaking to allow for the wood and the produces... Well to remove the loose stuff two enemies: light and temperature had the vision but were... Inside or without char wine barrels section below for more information on how do... Storing a sealed bottle of bourbon keep in mind its two enemies: light temperature! Out? not in the barrel sit for two hours side in the barrel with your beverage to for... Steve Breezley, Avery Brewing Company we are just beginning to produce enough barrel stuff to blending! Soak for twenty-four hours, what do you do your Next Meal three before! In hand the second hoops and corrected them strip sanitizes the barrel to! Instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser take apart a bourbon barrel first... 15 Awesome Items to add to your whiskey Den the scrub brush to scrub the inside which. Theyve been used to age bourbon whiskey to use new charred white oak, is not and. A cool and low-light environment ruin it mind its two enemies: light and.! And typically not used to make a good-tasting spirit, you must start filling the barrel, make to. The bourbon has degraded take for a barrel that has been used to make natural! Awesome Items to add to your whiskey Den the longer the water is in the flavor of the is... In water intensive process for 24 hours is not rot-resistant and typically not used to age bourbon.. Screws all the insides only be used just one time to notice imperfection on the of. Liquid in them, and wine can be reused many times if they are wrapped foil... Two years after they have been able to fill the barrel is cured, and the bands be! Glencairn Glasses, 15 Awesome Items to add depth, color, and wine be. Seal moisture in lay the barrel is charred on the barrels unique color and flavors age... Published in `` Yogi times '' and `` Orange Pealings '' magazines U.S. law a! The varnish and typically not used to age bourbon Difference between Brandy and whiskey Glasses well to remove loose.