Used whisky barrels

[Taity]

Hi
I have found a good source for used whisky barrels not too far away from me.has anyone used this method before .seems to be more cost effective to buy a barrel and lids and cut it up and use it.any thoughts on this?

[Easydrinker]

Maybe 12 years ago we bought two truckloads of these to make horse jumps with.
I extracted a bonus 16 litres of cask strength whisky from them, they were not all empty.
I now use staves of this wood, plane it to clean wood, saw to size and split to matchstick size for aging.
The nice part? You can smell the old whisky in the clean wood.
Toast it if you fancy.

Robert.

[Mash]

As with a lot things, you save the money of someone else doing it for you.

On the down side a used barrel is "used". The oak is spent to some degree. So you will not get the same flavour profile you get from a new one.

As long as you understand that everything is good. Plus you will be releasing some new wood but cutting. Also be aware that all the staves are not necessarily the same wood. Especially true of the tops. Best to mix it up.

[Taity]

Cheers for the info at a fiver for a top worth a try

[Mash]

Definitely. Have you considered garden furniture with them? Planters, funky chairs, minibars....

The offcuts would be enough!

[Easydrinker]

I read recently of coopers experimenting with different wood for barrel ends to staves.
Equally have read of Scotch whisky barrels being re-used,recycled and rebuilt with a lifespan in excess of 120 years.
Don't go worrying about old Oak, plane it down, char it if you fancy, use it.
I do.

Robert.

[Taity]

Cheers lads found another supplier with full charred staves. 10 for £15 Will go with him

[H12rpo]

That’s a decent price! You porridge gobblers are fortunate with all those distilleries close by

[Taity]

Whisky gobblers sounds better