StillSmart

hi all,

I have had a new 10 ltr oak barrel(European I think) given to me as a prezzy (med char)
and yes I have filled it with a grain spirit(65% proof).

my question is how long would you guy's leave it on oak to age?

also i'm assuming that I will have to turn the barrel and taste and dilute down at certain periods before bottling?

cheers everyone

If you search through some of Admiral Toad's posts you may learn something, he is the only on here that I recall using small barrels.

HTH

Robert.

Taste it. Buy a turkey baster so you can do it easily.

Probably taste weekly to start with. You will enjoy learning about this as you go along. Each batch will take slightly longer. Dilute it if it gets away.

There's many things on the move in a barrel so a 'recipe' isn't possible.

Alcohol %
Type of oak
Mix of oak
Char
Relative humidity
Temperature
Age

Fill it with water and give it a 24 hour soak once it is watertight before using.

Hi mate

I would say from experience at least 6 month better 9 to 12

I'm getting in quicker indications using a month on dominos then 3 months plus to take harshness off in the barrel

A new barrel will be quicker for first use as you would expect just bottled some on 15 month very smooth from a barrel used twice before

Try soaking some cheap sherry or port in before you fill for maturing

Its a case of sampling every now and then but do make sure your top bung is well fitted or the Angels can be greedy !

thanks everyone for the guidance.

time and tasting it is then.

i'll keep posting as I go along.


cheers all