Whiskey, Bourbon, and Other Fine Spirits!

I have done it and it's ok, but I do just as mentioned above and I actually think the results are better and you'll also have less loss if you put it in a large jar. Wood soak up a lot especially 1st go around and then you have your angels share. Most homebrew shops carry medium char chips and I think the flavor from them is better than the small barrels. Not as cool though.
 
thunderwagn said:
I have done it and it's ok, but I do just as mentioned above and I actually think the results are better and you'll also have less loss if you put it in a large jar. Wood soak up a lot especially 1st go around and then you have your angels share. Most homebrew shops carry medium char chips and I think the flavor from them is better than the small barrels. Not as cool though.
Click to expand...
But I've made some dang good whiskey out of shine using spirals...
 
Nosybear said:
You don't need a barrel - look for some medium toast American oak spirals, cubes or powder, dump it in the bottle and wait for the whiskey to turn brown. Once in a while when I have some beer to dump, I'll take it to a friend and have it distilled. It comes back moonshine, clear with some traces of flavor. Oak spirals are our preferred route from there.
Click to expand...

I've used cubes and chips before, just wanted to see how an actual barrel would do.

However, I've never used staves or spirals, so maybe i'll try that route before getting a barrel.
 
AGbrewer said:
I've used cubes and chips before, just wanted to see how an actual barrel would do.

However, I've never used staves or spirals, so maybe i'll try that route before getting a barrel.
Click to expand...
The barrels aren't bad, but I'm not real sure/confident of the char. I sometimes get what I perceive as a raw wood note. I do think the bigger you go, the better. I'm about to pull the plug on a 10l soon. Here's where I've purchased from https://www.oakbarrelsltd.com/black-hoop-barrels-s/126.htm
I will say, plan to leave it longer than what they say. I'll also admit that it is kinda fun having your own little barrels around and filling them up, testing, tasting, etc.
Mellow Corn is a fine whiskey on it's own and cheap $13 or so for a 750. I've barreled it. Go for higher proof. It helps.
Sure wish I could find that George Dickel here! Must not be distributed to Colorado. I bet that's good juice! Then again, I'm a sucker for corn whiskey!
**actually just found it online about a half hour away. Road trip!
 
Last edited:
thunderwagn said:
The barrels aren't bad, but I'm not real sure/confident of the char. I sometimes get what I perceive as a raw wood note. I do think the bigger you go, the better. I'm about to pull the plug on a 10l soon. Here's where I've purchased from https://www.oakbarrelsltd.com/black-hoop-barrels-s/126.htm
I will say, plan to leave it longer than what they say. I'll also admit that it is kinda fun having your own little barrels around and filling them up, testing, tasting, etc.
Mellow Corn is a fine whiskey on it's own and cheap $13 or so for a 750. I've barreled it. Go for higher proof. It helps.
Sure wish I could find that George Dickel here! Must not be distributed to Colorado. I bet that's good juice! Then again, I'm a sucker for corn whiskey!
**actually just found it online about a half hour away. Road trip!
Click to expand...

Dickel Bottled in Bond is one of my favorites. Hope you get your hand on some.
 
AGbrewer said:
Dickel Bottled in Bond is one of my favorites. Hope you get your hand on some.
Click to expand...
I do have a bottle of the Dickel bib. Good stuff. It's in fairly limited supply here but not hard to get if you know where and when to look.

Started a batch of limoncello.
IMG_20200828_191627.jpg
 
AGbrewer said:
Anyone tried to barrel age a store bought whisky? I've been thinking about getting the George Dickel Corn Whisky and purchasing a 1 liter barrel to try it out. Just to see if it takes on a good flavor.

View attachment 11610
Click to expand...

Several years ago I brewed a Barley Wine and wanted some bourbon barrel flavor in it. I had some chunks from wine barrel staves, so stuffed what fit into a qt. jar and filed it with cheap whiskey. IIRC, it was Early Times or Ten High. After they soaked for about a month the chunks went into a secondary vessel along with the brew for bulk aging. My late brew buddy, bless his soul, came over that weekend and we drank the whiskey. It was really nice. Been thinking about brewing a Backwoods Bastard like beer and I do still have some of the stave chunks. May be time for turning some cheap whiskey into good stuff.
 
My limoncello is done and it's insanely delicious. Better by far than anything you can buy. I have almost three 750's after cutting 32oz of 75% abv down to about 40%. Worst part is peeling the lemons.
IMG_20200901_171530.jpg

I followed Still It's youtube video for the most part. That guy has some great vids!
 
Awesome!! They look great.

Thanks for the video link. I definitely have to try this soon.
 
thunderwagn said:
My limoncello is done and it's insanely delicious. Better by far than anything you can buy. I have almost three 750's after cutting 32oz of 75% abv down to about 40%. Worst part is peeling the lemons.
View attachment 11689
I followed Still It's youtube video for the most part. That guy has some great vids!
Click to expand...
Awesome! I might just give that a try.
 
I also can't recommend the limoncello enough. If you like lemon, this is fabulous. Panty dropper on steroids.
If you wake up with your wife's panties on it ain't my fault!
 
I have the opportunity to pick up the Little Book Chapter 4 (Lessons Learned). Haven't gotten it yet, but it is reserved for me.

Has anyone had the chance to try that particular whiskey? If so, what was it like?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Copyright © 2007-2024 Brewer's Friend, Inc. - Send Feedback - Terms - RSS Feed - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Back
Top