Barrels of beer at the brewery and bar

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Oak barrels are traditionally used to age whiskey and can be used to age wine as well. Oak wood is stiff enough to exist shaped into a barrel, and oak is pure—it has no resins that can pass unwanted flavors to the spirits. The chemical reaction between the wood and the booze produces the pleasant and desired gustation. Oak barrels must be cared for in a specific way, however, to brand a skilful-tasting spirit.

Curing the Barrel

Rinse the within of the butt to remove whatsoever debris. Make full the barrel completely with h2o until it overflows from the bunghole.

Identify the bung in firmly, so the barrel is airtight.

Allow the butt sit filled with water for three to five days, or until the barrel swells. Check for leaks every few hours. If the barrel leaks, go along information technology filled in order to cure it completely. (The barrel swells when saturated with water. This expansion closes in the leaks between the staves.)

Add your spirits and begin aging them when your butt stops leaking.

Caring for Your Butt

Keep your barrel from drying out. Brand sure there is water in the butt whenever you're non aging something.

Keep the oak barrel away from harsh conditions. Humidity, dryness, straight sunlight, pelting, air conditioner or heater vents—all these things can hurt your barrel. For best results, e'er keep your barrel indoors at a moderate temperature. Homes that are heated too high crusade more evaporation than normal.

Resist the urge to varnish your barrel. If a barrel is varnished the natural tannins that are released from the wood will be hindered. The oak flavors volition be lost, and the spirits will be contaminated by the varnish.

Cleaning Your Barrel

Mix four ounces of Barolkleen with ane.25 gallons of hot water.

Soak the the barrel with the solution for three days. Roll the barrel regularly to go the solution on every interior surface. Drain and flush 3 times with hot water. Let the barrel to drain for at to the lowest degree ane hour.

Remove the spigot. Calorie-free the sulfur strip and stick it into the butt through the bunghole. Do not drop the lit sulfur strip into the barrel. The sulfur strip sanitizes the butt by releasing a sulfur gas. This prevents microbial growth inside the barrel.

Mix two gallons of water with i ounce of citric acid. Pour information technology into the butt and swish it around for five minutes.

Empty the butt and rinse three times with hot water. The barrel should bleed for three hours before beingness filled.

Tip

If the outside of your barrel shows wear afterwards time, lightly sand it with a fine-grade sandpaper.

Warning

When putting spirits in your barrel, make sure it is completely filled, with the cork stock-still tightly. If air gets within the barrel the spirits can spoil.

References

Writer Bio

Jill Davis started writing professionally in 2006. She has had articles published in "Yogi Times" and "Orange Pealings" magazines. Davis received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from California State University, Long Beach.

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