What Power Does Your Oak Barrel Behold?

Personal oak barrels offer anyone the ability to be a home-winemaker, brewer, or distiller. These barrels are hand crafted with premium quality American White Oak, without the use of glues or nails. They are air dried for two years and once formed, the inside of the cask is set on fire, typically for less than a minute, which creates a medium charred layer. This charring process caramelizes the wood sugars, and the carbon from the char removes sulfur compounds and smooths out immaturity from new spirits.

Oak barrels are widely known for aging whiskey, however, there are many types of spirits that age really well in barrels. In addition to whiskey, we recommend trying rum, tequila, brandy, bourbon, wine and even cocktails! Over several weeks you’ll notice the bite from immature or more economical spirits smooth out, and subtle oaky and even smokey flavors immerse. You won’t even want to add mixers to mask its character.

Try going a step further and create your own signature blend. Bootleg Kits come with everything you need to get started, or you can purchase a variety of essences separately. You just need 1 bottle of essence per liter of alcohol and can turn grain alcohol, neutral vodka or swish alcohol into Tennessee Whiskey, Spiced Rum, Honey Scotch Bourbon and more!

How long should you let your batch age? That all depends on your personal taste. These small batches age much quicker than the industrial barrels, with the greater surface area ratio, one month in a small barrel can compare to 1-1 ½ years in a large 55 gallon barrel. It’s best to sample it each week (just a sip, the more surface area covered by alcohol the better). When you’re satisfied, bottle up that batch and start a new one!

Getting Started with Your Personal Oak Barrel

Before you begin aging your favorite spirits, you must cure and prep your barrel to ensure proper function. First, you want to remove any wood debris by rinsing the inside of the barrel, filling and emptying it with water 2 or 3 times. Next, keep the barrel in an area that you don’t mind getting wet (sink, plastic tub, bathtub, etc.) and allow for seepage coming through the wood. Use boiling or hot water and fill your barrel to the top through the bung hole and let sit for approximately 3 to 5 days, this will allow the oak to expand and retain liquid (the barrel may leak until cured). Curing the wood will minimize the absorption of precious spirit into the body of the barrel.

After this initial curing period, place the barrel on the holder in a dry area. You’ll notice that liquid will slowly drain through the wood for up to a week, which is perfectly normal. Keep the barrel filled during this time. When the barrel stops leaking, go ahead and drain it and rinse once more.

You are now ready to fill with your favorite spirits! Be sure to fill your barrel to the top to decrease natural evaporation and to increase spirit to surface area ratio for better aging.

Caring For Your Barrel

Barrels are best stored in a cool damp environment to keep the wood exterior from drying out. This will also help minimize evaporation, “the angel's share”. You can use your barrel for up to 8 to 10 years if you take care of it properly. To ensure a long life for your barrel, follow the cleaning and reconditioning instructions and be sure to not let your barrel dry out.