FAQ
What are the barrels made from?
Our barrels are made from premium quality American White Oak. The staves are
air dried for two years and all barrels have a medium char.
How do I cure the barrel?
Barrels should be cured prior to use. Start by filling the barrel with boiling
or hot water and leave it to soak for 3 to 5 days. This allows the barrel to
swell tightly against the hoops and ensure that the barrel doesn't leak.
Are glues or nails used to make the barrel?
No, our barrels are all hand crafted with no use of glues or nails.
How should the barrel be stored?
Barrels are best stored in a cool damp environment such as a wine cellar. This
will keep the exterior from drying out and minimize evaporation (Angels
Share).
How many times can I use my barrel?
With proper care, you can use your barrel for 8 to 10 years. Following the
cleaning and re-charring instructions will ensure a long life for your product
and be sure to not let your barrel dry out.
I left my barrel dry for an extended time.
Now it leaks... what do I do?
In many cases just re-cure the barrel. If it continues leaking, submerge the
barrel in water for a couple of days. After it's been submerged, dry the
exterior with a towel and fill it with water to see if it continues to leak.
If so, find the leak and apply barrel wax to the hole... If you can't stop the
leaking... cut in half and use as a planter!
Cleaning your barrel...
How often do I clean my barrel?
When aging hard spirits such as whiskey, rum or tequila, clean the barrel
after two or three batches (or every 1 to 2 years). For wine, cider, liquor or
other low alcohol content spirits, clean after each batch.
How do I clean my barrel?
1) Dissolve the Barrel-Kleen into warm water. Fill the barrel with this
cleaning solution and soak for 24 hours. Empty and rinse 3 times with hot
water.
2) Dissolve the Neutralizing Acid into warm water. Fill the barrel with this
neutralizing solution and soak for 15 minutes. Empty and rinse the barrel 3
times with hot water.
3) To re-char the barrel interior, drain the barrel for 3 hours. Place a
butane torch in the bung and spigot hole and re-char the inside.
To prevent the barrel from drying out and minimize the possibility of
contamination, barrels should always be stored full with spirits or water with
sterilizing solution.
***See cleaning package directions for exact mixture quantities.
How do I store my barrel?
When storing the barrel fill the barrel with a mixture of sterilizing tablets
and cool water. Fill the barrel with the solution and leave in a cool damp
place until you are ready to use again.
Aging spirits...
How long do I age my spirits?
There's no formula for the perfect time to age your spirits. Age to taste! We
suggest you taste your spirits every week and once aged to YOUR taste, start
drinking or move it to a glass bottle to stop the aging process.
Do smaller barrels age the spirit faster
than large barrels?
Yes... due to the greater surface or contact area ratio, small size barrels
will age 5 to 10 times faster then your standard 55 gallon barrel. These means
that one month in a small barrel will produce the equivalent aging to 1 to 1
1/2 years in a full size barrel.
Bootleg Kits
How do I get Whiskey from a bottle of Vodka or Moonshine?
When alcohol is distilled, either from potatoes, corn, fruit, grain or sugar
cane, it produces Ethanol. A clear and tasteless alcohol. Distilleries then
flavour and filter the alcohol to get their unique flavour. Vodka is the only
alcohol you can buy in an unflavoured form. When mixed with a bottle of
Premium Essence, you can recreate the taste of many of the famous brands.
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