There are two ways to age whiskey at home. The most traditional method of DIY whiskey aging is to purchase or build a charred white oak barrel. To prep a barrel to be used for aging, make sure to first fill it with warm water and leave it sit until the wood swells enough to prevent leaking between the staves.
Hereof, what liquor will age in a barrel?
Spirits that have prominently rich, spicy characteristics (like bourbon, Scotch, and rum) are better served by decades in a barrel, as those notes become more pronounced. Lighter (let’s say “younger at heart”) spirits like tequila and gin don’t gain as much by aging.
Subsequently, how long do you age whiskey in a barrel?
The White Stuff: Aging Unaged Whiskey
“Color develops within a few weeks in the barrel and it takes about 3 months to get a solid, enjoyable product,” says Woodinville co-owner Orlin Sorensen. Evaporation, or the angel’s share, is accelerated with small barrels, according to Sorenson.
Can whiskey be aged too long?
“It is possible for a spirit to get too old. … There’s a lot of debate about optimal aging times—particularly for whiskey—and the ranges vary further still depending on how the spirit is made. But here’s a good rule of thumb: If it was aged in a barrel, those extra years might mean extra flavor.
How do you store an old Ageed barrel?
(If storing the aged cocktail in bottles, tap into 167ml bottles, along with ¼ oz. water. Cap and store in the freezer. To serve, pour over ice and serve with the orange twist.)
Can you reuse a whiskey barrel?
Whiskey barrels, including (and, in fact, especially) bourbon barrels absolutely get reused. It’s just that they don’t get reused for making bourbon. … Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, Canadian whisky, rum, reposado and anejo tequila, and even barrel-aged gins and genevers are commonly aged in used barrels.
Which alcohol gets better with age?
The wood from the barrels a Scotch (or any whisky) is aged in tends to break down the rougher flavors in the alcohol, leaving you with a smoother taste. The longer the alcohol is in there, the smoother it gets. And yes, that is lovely.
What is the longest aged liquor?
When it was released in 2010, the Mortlach 1938 was the longest aged whisky the world ever sipped. Distillers Gordon & MacPhail then broke their own record with Mortlach 75 Year Old, a Scotch Whisky aged for three quarters of a century.
What can you do with old whiskey barrels?
13 Genius Ways People Are Repurposing Whiskey and Wine Barrels
- 1 Wine Barrel Rocking Chair. Kat Nobile. …
- 2 Whiskey Barrel Outdoor Table. Oliver and Rust. …
- 5 Whiskey Barrel Trash Can. Courtesy. …
- 6 Rain Barrel. James “Buck” Firth. …
- 7 Barrel Staves Chairs. Courtesy. …
- 8 Wine Barrel Wreath. This Grandma Is Fun. …
- 13 Wine Barrel Floors.
How many times you can use oak barrel?
Generally speaking, after curing and filling the barrel three times, the impact of the oak will diminish over time. As a general rule, the barrels can be reused the following number of times for each specified spirit: Wine– 1 Time. Whiskey / Bourbon – 4 Times.
How do you keep a whiskey barrel from falling apart?
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. Otherwise it dried out and shrinks, loses seal, and the bands fall off.