Thread: Scotch/whiskey of the day

Something of a beginner's Scotch this weekend.

https://t.co/VLMIfwoy0P

Arberlour 12 year old is my go-to scotch, but I decided to try their 16 year old--good decision.

Going to age some local 100 proof moonshine in a 2L oak barrel. Been swelling it up for the last 3 days with water. Tomorrow morning the good stuff is going in, and then outside into the shade to get all the expansion and contraction the elements can provide. I hope this goes as well as I'm thinking.

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

Going to age some local 100 proof moonshine in a 2L oak barrel. Been swelling it up for the last 3 days with water. Tomorrow morning the good stuff is going in, and then outside into the shade to get all the expansion and contraction the elements can provide. I hope this goes as well as I'm thinking.

Are you adding any charred oak to the mix for color and taste?

Roy, the barrel comes with a medium char already done on the inside. One thing I've read about these little barrels is that they have a larger surface area. (A greater wood to liquid contact ratio) than the larger, traditional barrels the pros use. It'll take a lot less time to achieve "whiskey." So I need to constantly check, taste, to see how it's coming along. These smaller barrels run the risk of over oaking the liquid.

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

Roy, the barrel comes with a medium char already done on the inside. One thing I've read about these little barrels is that they have a larger surface area. (A greater wood to liquid contact ratio) than the larger, traditional barrels the pros use. It'll take a lot less time to achieve "whiskey." So I need to constantly check, taste, to see how it's coming along. These smaller barrels run the risk of over oaking the liquid.

Back in the day when I worked seasonal field work for Green Giant Co. There were some guys who came out from Tennessee to work pea harvest, the only name I remember is Charter Dole as he come west year after year.

They would bring shine out and it was indeed fine shine! I remember Charter saying that you could char up some oakwood and put it and some shine in even a gallon jar to age and you'd get some good whiskey.

Sounds like you're on your way!

I've read that too Roy. You can actually buy char'd oak spirals on amazon and other sites for that very thing. But you could literally take some clean, scrap oak and giver a roast with a torch to achieve the same.

I can hardly wait to take my first nip at this barrel in a few weeks!!!