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Aging your own whiskey

CBoukal

CBoukal

Impeached Staff Member
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Joined
Dec 9, 2011
Messages
9,824
Location
Omaha, NE
First Name
Chad
Has anyone really played around with aging your own whiskey at home? There are a lot of places that sell small oak barrels for home. I know I want to get a charred one which narrows the search.

I've been reading recipe's for a port. Which would be super fun to age a whiskey AFTER that to bring in those flavors. How feasible is this and how often do you make a batch? I was thinking a 2L (68 oz) barrel. That's over 2 full 750 mL bottles.. 3L is only $5 more... But does it hurt anything if I don't fill it entirely? If not, maybe I should go 5L right out of the shoot so I don't end up buying another one..

HELP!
 
My only experience with barrel aging is with beer, so not positive, but wouldn't think you'd want a lot of headspace.

Really only replied so I could post this though. 🤣

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I used to have one of those small single bottle oak barrel I used to try aging some stuff. When I filled it the first time, I bought 2 of the same bottles (Buffalo Trace) so I could do a side by side comparison as it "aged". I will say it did make a noticeable difference. I don't use mine anymore.

I have also used this a few times, and it works pretty well too.
 
2K6TBSS said:
I used to have one of those small single bottle oak barrel I used to try aging some stuff. When I filled it the first time, I bought 2 of the same bottles (Buffalo Trace) so I could do a side by side comparison as it "aged". I will say it did make a noticeable difference. I don't use mine anymore.

I have also used this a few times, and it works pretty well too.
Click to expand...
Thank you very much for the info, I really appreciate it!
Ended up pulling the trigger on an American make one that actually states "American white oak" I got a 2L one
www.babybarrels.com

2 Liter American Oak Baby Barrels for Aging

Our American white oak barrels are authentically handmade for aging distilled spirits or cocktails (think: Old Fashioned, Negroni, Bijou). Each barrel is made with a #3 charred interior ideal for Bourbon, Whiskey, Tequila, Brandy, Rum or even vinegar!
www.babybarrels.com

I'd excited to mess around a little bit!
 
A buddy of mine has experimented with tequila using oak staves is a pre-barrel step. He has done American Oak French Oak, etc with different toast levels and dome some with the staves soaked in port, stout, whiskey, etc. Even with the staves and smaller quantities it is pretty amazing what flavors can be drawn out. He'll be getting a barrel soon, so I'll be following this thread to pass on info to him... it will benefit me on the long run lolol!
 
CBoukal said:
Thank you very much for the info, I really appreciate it!
Ended up pulling the trigger on an American make one that actually states "American white oak" I got a 2L one
www.babybarrels.com

2 Liter American Oak Baby Barrels for Aging

Our American white oak barrels are authentically handmade for aging distilled spirits or cocktails (think: Old Fashioned, Negroni, Bijou). Each barrel is made with a #3 charred interior ideal for Bourbon, Whiskey, Tequila, Brandy, Rum or even vinegar!
www.babybarrels.com

I'd excited to mess around a little bit!
Click to expand...
How is your experiment coming along?
 
I just filled my barrel with the first batch. It's been soaking with water for 24 hours without any leaking, so I decided it was ready. After considering the options at the local markets, I found some Virginia Lightning brand corn whiskey, although it's probably moonshine. The back of the label said, "Less than 30 days old" so I figured it was as close as I could find to white dog. I drained the water, filled it with the hootch, and put the barrel in the garage to "age" for a few days.
 
Nihon_Ni said:
I just filled my barrel with the first batch. It's been soaking with water for 24 hours without any leaking, so I decided it was ready. After considering the options at the local markets, I found some Virginia Lightning brand corn whiskey, although it's probably moonshine. The back of the label said, "Less than 30 days old" so I figured it was as close as I could find to white dog. I drained the water, filled it with the hootch, and put the barrel in the garage to "age" for a few days.
Click to expand...
That will be interesting. That stuff is a little green or rough around the edges to me. Time Smiths is smoother.

HT
 
Nihon_Ni said:
I just filled my barrel with the first batch. It's been soaking with water for 24 hours without any leaking, so I decided it was ready. After considering the options at the local markets, I found some Virginia Lightning brand corn whiskey, although it's probably moonshine. The back of the label said, "Less than 30 days old" so I figured it was as close as I could find to white dog. I drained the water, filled it with the hootch, and put the barrel in the garage to "age" for a few days.
Click to expand...
Can't wait to hear how it turns out. Did you put any staves or anything in the barrel? I've been trying to decide what juice to use as well.
 
I have improved several bottles of "good not great" bourbon by putting staves or spirals in them and putting them high up in my shed where the temp goes from 120 to -15. I leave them for at least a year and have had very positive results.

After all, the concept of aging in wood is so that the warming and cooling will cause the liquid to expand and contract into and out of the the wood.

Things like Evan Williams bottled in bond, Early Times, Ancient Age, etc.
 
CigarStone said:
I have improved several bottles of "good not great" bourbon by putting staves or spirals in them and putting them high up in my shed where the temp goes from 120 to -15. I leave them for at least a year and have had very positive results.

After all, the concept of aging in wood is so that the warming and cooling will cause the liquid to expand and contract into and out of the the wood.

Things like Evan Williams bottled in bond, Early Times, Ancient Age, etc.
Click to expand...
Who invited this guy?
 
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