White Oak

[Bluffhunter]

I heard from my local store that there is a shortage of new White Oak barrels and this will drive up prices; any truth on this?

[T Comp]

I heard from my local store that there is a shortage of new White Oak barrels and this will drive up prices; any truth on this?

Don't believe much of what comes out of your local store unless it's one of the few big players in the business. There was a blurb on Shanken and then a follow up report on Louisville TV station WHAS. It was specific to Independent Stave and Four Roses slowing down production due to barrel shortages from weather related tree harvesting problems. Remember too that anything being barreled now isn't coming out for at least 2 and more probably a minimum of 4 years.

http://www.whas11.com/news/Kentucky-bourbon-distiller-says-barrel-shortage-a-bump-in-the-road-235148981.html

[sutton]

I must be missing something - does Independent Stave age the wood after harvested, or is it immediately kiln-dried and sent into the barrel production process? Even if that were the case, for some temporary harvesting constraints to immediately affect barrel production would mean they run pretty lean raw material inventory stocks. Maybe that is so ...

[squire]

I don't think we're facing a barrel shortage but it makes a good story.

[B.B. Babington]

I heard that people were lining up to get the few allocated new barrels and then there was a fist fight in the parking lot. People started reselling for double on craigslist and the barrel fever went even higher when word got out someone smuggled barrels from the warehouse. You know these are the last remaining superb barrels and new production won't be as good, so if you don't get yours now....

[Richnimrod]

My understanding is that air-dried lumber for barrel making is rather more expensive (since it takes so much longer, though many feel it makes better barrels for aging Bourbon). However, the making of barrels from kiln-dried lumber is considerably easier to schedule since the makers have control of the readiness of the wood, and can predict inventories, and match such with production schedules.

Just my take from what I've heard and read.

[squire]

So, they don't have the good stuff because of the barrel shortage but have a shelf full of these NEW brands.

[Flyfish]

I heard from my local store that there is a shortage of new White Oak barrels and this will drive up prices; any truth on this?

[393foureyedfox]

So, they don't have the good stuff because of the barrel shortage but have a shelf full of these NEW brands.

[callmeox]

maybe the lesser brands are reusing the barrels.....

That would be scandalous (and illegal) if sold as bourbon out of used cooperage.

[squire]

Of course there's a ready market for the used barrels in Scotland, Canada and other places. Approximately half the cost of the barrel is recouped when sold on the secondary market.

[oke&coke]

And if they turn it into furniture, its a profit.

[squire]

Good for grilling too.

[393foureyedfox]

it could perhaps explain some of the reasoning behind all the ----finished bourbons/whiskeys these days. I have yet to have tasted one that is even as good as a regular oak finished one. I guess whenever you come up with something new, people will buy it just to try it.

[Richnimrod]

it could perhaps explain some of the reasoning behind all the ----finished bourbons/whiskeys these days. I have yet to have tasted one that is even as good as a regular oak finished one. I guess whenever you come up with something new, people will buy it just to try it.

Though I'm sure there are many that will disagree with me; and for the most part I agree with you, Fox; I do suggest there is one exception. The Parker's Heritage (finished in Cognac Casks) from (I believe) 2011. IMHO that one is a fine dram, and likely never to be surpassed in a wine-barrel-finished Bourbon.... or any other barrel-finish, I guess.

[zillah]

it could perhaps explain some of the reasoning behind all the ----finished bourbons/whiskeys these days. I have yet to have tasted one that is even as good as a regular oak finished one. I guess whenever you come up with something new, people will buy it just to try it.

I'd say it definitely works better when you initially use refill casks like Scotch mainly because bourbon has such a rich flavor from using new oak, finishes happen to clash more with the spirit. There are exceptions though - the cognac finished PHC and Angel's Eny rye finished in rum barrels have done particularly well. I would love if American whiskey could reuse their own barrels - then finishing would have much more of an impact on ex-bourbon barrels and such.

[WhiskyRI]

Mark Gillespie at WhiskyCast has a good story and interview on the "shortage". http://whiskycast.com/episode-456-december-14-2013/

[squire]

I would like to see some Bourbon recipe whisky aged in reuse barrels. It wouldn't be Bourbon of course, not so robust or sweet, but certainly could be a richly flavored whisky in a lighter style.

[tanstaafl2]

I would like to see some Bourbon recipe whisky aged in reuse barrels. It wouldn't be Bourbon of course, not so robust or sweet, but certainly could be a richly flavored whisky in a lighter style.

I suppose Early Times would be as close as we have now? It is a bourbon mashbill I believe but has been aged partly in refill casks.

[squire]

That's true, some of the blend is, but most of ET is still aged in new barrels. I was thinking of removing the new char influence entirely,

[VAGentleman]

Mellow corn is aged in used barrels isn't it?

[tanstaafl2]

That's true, some of the blend is, but most of ET is still aged in new barrels. I was thinking of removing the new char influence entirely,

[squire]

Mellow corn is aged in used barrels isn't it?

[393foureyedfox]

Angel's Eny rye finished in rum barrels have done particularly well

[zillah]

that one in particular I was referring to