Where do you get a good barrel

[birdman1099]

With all the talk of re-barrel projects, I've started looking on line for a barrel. There are a bunch of resources.

Where did you get your barrell? I have no Idea what to look for and I do not want to buy something that wont work.

I know I want 5 liters. I do want it charred. I want it on a stand, with a spigot and bung. What else should I be looking at?

Ben (Kickert), do you guys sell charred barrels???

If anyone has and suggestions for me, I'd appreciate it !!!!:grin:

[OscarV]

If you get a barrel what were you thinking about putting in it?
Like Emerald did I'd go with some cheap current WT handles, his stuff came out real good.

[silverfish]

Oakbarrels (http://www.oakbarrelsltd.com/) has a variety of sizes and band choices (black is cheapest, I think).

[birdman1099]

If you get a barrel what were you thinking about putting in it?
Like Emerald did I'd go with some cheap current WT handles, his stuff came out real good.



I was actually thinking of using some NAS Weller Antique.....

other options were:
Old Forester BIB
Old Fitz BIB (currrent release of course)
willett 3 yr for a local distributer in Indy



any thoughts or other suggestions would be appreciated....

[birdman1099]

Oakbarrels (http://www.oakbarrelsltd.com/) has a variety of sizes and band choices (black is cheapest, I think).



Thanks John.....

[OscarV]

I was actually thinking of using some NAS Weller Antique.....


That's the one Dude, I'm sure it could be improved and no one has done a wheater yet, at least not in our little circle here on SB.com, put me down for a bottle. I'd age that baby for 8 months to a year, wheaters take wood better than ryed bourbons.

[birdman1099]

That's the one Dude, I'm sure it could be improved and no one has done a wheater yet, at least not in our little circle here on SB.com, put me down for a bottle. I'd age that baby for 8 months to a year, wheaters take wood better than ryed bourbons.



Those were my thoughts exactly.....

[kickert]

If you are going to go bigger (5+ gallons) I would recommend The Barrel Mill. Of the companies we have used, theirs are the best made and impart the best flavors.

http://www.whiskeybarrel.com/index.php/whiskey-barrels.html

[ggilbertva]

Scott

I used http://www.1000oaksbarrel.com/

The barrel held up well and I'm on my second fill.

[cowdery]

I yield to the folks with more experience, but I would recommend against the spigot. They leak. Get or make a whiskey thief and use that instead.

[sailor22]

Or a siphon hose - you can use nalgene food grade tubing.

[birdman1099]

I yield to the folks with more experience, but I would recommend against the spigot. They leak. Get or make a whiskey thief and use that instead.


I was actually thinking about that, and thought that I could just rotate the barrel enough so as the spigot is higher then the whiskey level. Would the bung be less likely to leak?

Greg, emerald..... did your leak from the spigot?



Also, it appears that I have an option on the level of char. Most of the barrels come with a #3 (or medium) char, but I found a place that would give me a #4. Could that be too much???

[fishnbowljoe]

FWIW, I think Paul (p_elliot) just received an aging barrel for his birthday. Maybe you could check with him too. Joe

[ggilbertva]

I was actually thinking about that, and thought that I could just rotate the barrel enough so as the spigot is higher then the whiskey level. Would the bung be less likely to leak?

Greg, emerald..... did your leak from the spigot?



Also, it appears that I have an option on the level of char. Most of the barrels come with a #3 (or medium) char, but I found a place that would give me a #4. Could that be too much???

Mine did not. I do watch it closely to make sure it's not dripping any juice and so far so good. My barrel came with medium char although I had the option of going with toasted.

[spun_cookie]

I was actually thinking about that, and thought that I could just rotate the barrel enough so as the spigot is higher then the whiskey level. Would the bung be less likely to leak?

Greg, emerald..... did your leak from the spigot?



Also, it appears that I have an option on the level of char. Most of the barrels come with a #3 (or medium) char, but I found a place that would give me a #4. Could that be too much???

Only a minor amount and I had very little loss to the angels as well. 4.5 liter filled the gallon bottle both times.

[p_elliott]

My Barrel came from Oak Barrels Ltd.