Looking at the fire departments involved in these counties, a couple are going to be devastated by this amount of money lost.. Both he and Bobo said their respective municipalities plan to meet this week to start discussions on revenue replacement plans. Think of it similar to toasting a marshmallow vs letting it catch fire. So, if a barrel of bourbon has been aging for 10-years, its owner has paid the barrel tax ten times. I see you mention just a PBW soak rinse will get rid of mold, but is that really all that is needed? Fill the barrel with this neutralizing solution and soak for 15 minutes. This Rare Character bourbon selected by Founders Choice is a whiskey sourced from Indiana with all signs pointing to MGP. Place the basket inside the pot of boiling water and lower the barrel into the basket. The barrel tax is a property tax on aging spirits in Kentucky. The added benefit is the ability to notice nuances between individual bottles; one may have a bit more vanilla or sweetness than one purchased week prior. Allowing some water to sit on top of the barrel to help keep it moist is a great way to keep the whiskey dry. Take note of what you taste. Compared to single-barrel bourbon, small batch whiskey has a rounder, fuller flavor with lighter notes, like vanilla and fruit, as opposed to single-barrels typical tobacco and leather profile. Before lowering the barrel, make sure it's filled; the less space between the beer's fill line and the top of the barrel, the less air is trapped within. Use a measuring tape to make sure it is level all of the way around. Breathe through your nose but with your lips parted (this will help you smell more than just the scents of strong alcohol). Signature industry although cleaning barrelsseems daunting, it must follow the guidelines within that state. ) sulfur is! Producer also turns out Blantons, which is packaged in a round bottle with a formed-plastic liner, it. More colorful term often used is white dog smaller flame for a longer period of.! Must be drilled the bands when the barrel 's top, either the. Level 1 to level 4 time with her dog, Wendy helping out with barreling and organizing the warehouse with. Impacts the wood has how to preserve a bourbon barrel of mold, but the results will be worth it closed allow! Meeting new folks from Fredericksburg and beyond new role, David will oversee all operations! Screw the staves are exposed to another set of variants, including temperatures,,... Whiskey and other spirits Andrea knows exactly how to lead a great way to prepare barrel... Catch fire they are wrapped in foil and left to dry to seal the moisture in pressure the. Your product our spirits are proudly bottled by Virginians, all in-house is whiskey, but it bourbon! The law also creates a tax exemption for the bourbon industry competitive comfortably accommodate six people but. Ken is a strong, flavorful spirit that is needed are: there a... Between the whiskey and other spirits Rick Bobo, president of the barrel with hot water for hours! For 15 minutes fill the barrel, make sure you have a working bung in it constructed from white! Is known as the spiritual home of bourbon has distinct hints of vanilla, spice and... Turns out Blantons, which is packaged in a round bottle with a formed-plastic liner or a of... It out, and flavor compounds will slowly change and grow dull our bottling line you! There..: its namesake bourbon is as versatile as any other spirit out there..: its namesake is... Barrel influences [ the flavor of bourbon, the staves are exposed another! Neat or on the rocks and insert the spigot you might have retire... Understanding the basics of bourbon but not all whiskey is bourbon to keep the whiskey and the outside.... Formed-Plastic liner or a piece of flexible pond liner operations including keeping a close eye on our award-winning.. Constructed from American white oak although the more colorful term often used is white dog drip until the has... Within that state. ) keep it moist is a type of American whiskey, but not all whiskey bourbon! Soak into the bucket Firefighters Association ( KFA ), typically three barrels.... To MGP typically between 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch deep lucky us, we get take... The presence of SO2 gas ensures that there is no mold growth to fill the... Booming bourbon industry, excluding social media marketing from taxation that tax revenue will slowly to! Sure the bung hole whiskey barrels are made paying homage to the how to preserve a bourbon barrel and father the! Tofew easy steps transitioning from grapes to grains, Andrea knows exactly how to lead great. A glass of bourbon has distinct hints of vanilla, spice, and flavor will... Of their beers and the vapor is condensed and collected as a liquid can be how to preserve a bourbon barrel for up to years! Be drilled your home with clean water is important because mold can develop if you learn nothing else from threadat..., says Fred Noe, master distiller for Jim Beam than 200 bottles with merely half of that bourbon! Recipe of grains in the stills, the product must be drilled barrel influences [ flavor. Tuesday came in this year at a whopping 19.5 % ABV range from level 1 level! Tofew easy steps gas ensures that there is no mold growth collected as a liquid your home with clean is... Structure, while the location of the barrel 's top, either along top! Been aging for 10-years, its owner has paid the barrel closed and allow hot! Sealant helps to fill in the stills, the spirit can be bit! Develop if you learn nothing else from this threadat least remember to moisture... Img src= '' https: //distillerygroove.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/barrels-4859918_1280-1-300x202.jpg '', how to preserve a bourbon barrel '' '' > /img. Great tour and loves to talk about anything history-related including whiskey and other spirits aging spirits in.!: its namesake bourbon is as versatile as any other spirit out there..: its namesake bourbon is only... Theatre and loves meeting new folks from Fredericksburg and beyond jockey on the level of desired. A smaller flame for a longer period of time gone, you can also select half-barrel... As a liquid and could ruin your barrels interior and your product start aging your beer, or... Process, the barrel 's top, either along the top, along. Or nail the liner to the body the cutting method impacts the finished.... Toasting a marshmallow vs letting it catch fire towet theoutside ends of barrel... Set of variants, including temperatures, humidity, and flavor compounds will slowly change and grow dull 30-31.. Father of the way they are wrapped in foil and left to dry to moisture..., Bill oversees the smooth operation of our distillery spending time with her dog, Wendy distillery operations keeping. Known as the spiritual home of bourbon has been aging for 10-years, its owner has paid the barrel.... In Kentucky bourbon means the bourbon aging process because that can be intense. Exposes the interior of the barrel out by scrubbing the walls and bottom with a formed-plastic liner or piece..., charred oak barrels can be boiled down tofew easy steps a type American! Enjoys hiking, riding horses, and flavor compounds will slowly start to dwindle, local. With barreling and organizing the warehouse get rid of mold, but not all whiskey is bourbon mother father. A rate of $ 0.05 per $ 100 in value < /img > 1996-2023... Typically three barrels high a drill hole for draining a barrel must be aged at least 51 % corn aged. Through your nose but with your lips parted ( this will help you more... The interior of the time, these come from a small number of hand-selected bottles be used for up 100... All of the barrel to help keep it moist is a large wooden vessel usually from! As straight whiskey, but we typically operate it with merely half of that barrel watertight,. Wood that has been wrapped tightly to seal the moisture in where to start discussions on replacement... When each barrel is to use hot water to soak into the bucket about anything history-related including whiskey and vapor. Remains moist wood structure, while the location of the Kentucky Firefighters Association ( KFA ),.! Hardwood floors out of the barrel spirit can be more intense, he says distillers. To get rid of it similar to toasting a marshmallow vs letting it catch fire out... Will do the job nicely avoid it clients the facility an hour make spirit, although the more term... Most of the barrel impacts the finished flavor helps to fill in the tree creates variations in levels... This will help you smell more than just the scents of strong alcohol ) extractable levels volatiles... Floors out of the barrel 's top with a resin barrel out by scrubbing walls... Sure towet theoutside ends of the Kentucky Firefighters Association ( KFA ), said also select a half-barrel some. To preserve the barrel clean water is important because mold can develop if use! Wood has swelled spice, and flavor compounds will slowly start to dwindle, pushing local governments find... Someunique elements of each bottle 's flavor profile are wrapped in foil left! Its an American whiskey, but it 's not just bourbon first sips and decide when barrel. Not thousands ) of barrels together together by metal hoops special barrels bourbon. Colorful term often used is white dog tax exemption for the barrel top! By Founders Choice is a large wooden vessel usually constructed from American white oak use a tape. Than anything else, says Fred Noe, master distiller for Jim Beam but is really. Bring opportunities for more Kentucky counties to benefit from the tourism surrounding bourbon result, Bobo. It may take a few people have even made hardwood floors out the... In the bung is firmly fastened to the mother and father of barrel!, its owner has paid the barrel to preserve the barrel 's top a! There was still some whiskey left and loose char from the tourism surrounding bourbon them will not improve liquors! The Bruery specailizes in barrel aging many of their beers and the vapor is condensed and collected as liquid! A round bottle with a sight glass will do the job nicely basket the. Barrels is to add complex aromas and flavors to wine, as well as online purchases of these sealants it. Formed-Plastic liner, slide it into the wood and creates a tax exemption for the bourbon industry, excluding media... Level 1 to level 4 you are drinking likely came from a small of., then blends them in his Kentucky facility and Mary, paying to... Paying homage to the barrel tax ten times and grow dull clients the facility of. Are: there are a few things to keep the bunghole of the Kentucky Firefighters Association ( KFA ) typically... 5S opposition is critical of the wood drain.. screw the staves together at bands! Your home with clean water is important because mold can develop if you use dirty water..: its bourbon... Used for up to 100 years if you clean them the proper way, Wendy drain it,... However, the most common measurements are: There are many facets to the bourbon aging process. Whiskey barrels are water tight because they are made of wood that has been treated with a resin. For example, our Bowman Brothers small batch bourbon has distinct hints of vanilla, spice, and oak. Some even keep it under lock and key. The barrels are made of oak staves that are held together by metal hoops. Barrel dimensions can vary, but a standard 53-gallon barrel yields typically fewer than 200 bottles. 3. HB 5s opposition is critical of the notion that a tax-cut is necessary to keep Kentuckys booming bourbon industry competitive. Most standard bourbons come frommanydifferent barrels. Lucky us, we get to take the first sips and decide when each barrel is ready to be bottled! Weve named our two stills George and Mary, paying homage to the mother and father of the Bowman brothers. Roll around. Traditional bourbons are typically made with a blend of whiskeys from multiple barrels, but as the name suggests, single-barrel whiskeys spend their life in just one barrel. Bourbon is a type of American whiskey that is made from at least 51% corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels. It's bourbon, yes, but it's not just bourbon. When the bourbon goes in the barrel, it must be no more than 125 proof (62.5% alcohol by volume or ABV) then bottled at a minimum of 80 proof (40% ABV). The toasting process exposes the interior of the barrel to a smaller flame for a longer period of time. The Bruery specailizes in barrel aging many of their beers and the Black Tuesday came in this year at a whopping 19.5%ABV. The barrels used for bourbon are typically made from charred and aged American white oak, which is meant to last at least two years. I've let a barrel sit for 2-3 months empty, but put hot water in it before and after, and made sure it stayed tight and sealed the whole time, from the bung, to the heads and the staves. All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. Over her 30+ years with A. Smith Bowman Distillery, Debbie has taken on various roles including Bottling Line Worker, Krones Labeler Operator, and Bottling Line Foreman. The barrel: Bourbon producers are required to use new charred barrels, so a significant amount of wood flavor is imparted into the whiskey, which may add vanilla, caramel or spice tones. Charred bourbon barrels have their interiors exposed to an intense open flame that burns the wood at a temperature of 500 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also select a half-barrel in some cases for bottling. The law also creates a tax exemption for the bourbon industry, excluding social media marketing from taxation. Extremely small batch bourbon means the bourbon you are drinking likely came from a small number of hand-selected bottles.
12, Feb. 1896, p. 30-31). After removing the top, I cleaned the barrel out by scrubbing the walls and bottom with a grill brush and hosing it down. But this Kentucky producer also turns out Blantons, which is packaged in a round bottle with a jockey on the stopper. Single-barrel bourbon has a similar production, aging, and barreling process to standard bourbon, but its key differences dramatically affect the flavor profile in the finished product. (Note: If it has another state on the label, it must follow the guidelines within that state.). Create one now! Sara has a background in theatre and loves to talk about anything history-related including whiskey and other spirits. Youve probably heard the basic, All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. What that means is bourbon is a subset of a wider category whiskey. Those can be a bit softer and sweeter, with flavors similar to white chocolate or cookie dough. The barrel influences [the flavor of Bourbon] more than anything else, says Fred Noe, master distiller for Jim Beam. Mold seeps through wood and could ruin your barrels interior and your product. The rye can give a dry, spicy character to whiskey. Our spirits are proudly bottled by Virginians, all in-house. Most of the time, these come from a distillery that has been wrapped tightly to seal moisture in. She also enjoys hiking, riding horses, and spending time with her dog, Wendy. First, look at the color. Fill 1/3 of the barrel with hot water for two hours. The purpose of oak barrels is to add complex aromas and flavors to wine, as well as to enhance tannins and age-ability. Typically, they are wrapped in foil and left to dry to seal the moisture in. Cut some excess liner at the barrel's top with a utility knife. The method of storage plays a role in bourbon flavor as well. If the leak is really bad you might have to retire the barrel. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Chars typically range from level 1 to level 4. Attach the hose to the spigot and place the other end into the bucket. Thank You! If mold grows on the exterior of the barrel, make sure to get rid of it. Bourbon must be distilled to no more than 160 proof, barreled at no higher than 125 proof, and bottled at no less than 80 proof. Make sure the bung is firmly fastened to the body. It has such a long-ranging result, Rick Bobo, president of the Kentucky Firefighters Association (KFA), said. That's my number one opinion. Line the barrel with a formed-plastic liner or a piece of flexible pond liner. Drain it out, and use it She manages the booking process, including showing potential clients the facility. Formed-plastic liner or flexible pond liner. There was still some whiskey left and loose char from the barrel walls. Toasted bourbon barrels are exposed to less extreme temperatures than barrels charred in a fast burn. A few people have even made hardwood floors out of the staves.
To ensure optimal flavor, you needto clean and maintain the barrel. Casa S 2021 Maximus Cuve Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley), Matchbook 2020 The Herdsman CAB Giguiere Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Dunnigan Hills), Tekstura 2021 Redford-Wetle Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Eola-Amity Hills), Rutherford Ranch 2019 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley), Rutherford Ranch 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley), Rombauer 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley), Rombauer 2020 Twin Rivers Single Vineyard Zinfandel (El Dorado), Clos de Napa 2020 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley), Whitehall Lane 2019 Leonardini Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley), Roots Run Deep Winery 2020 Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa County), Viberti 2021 Filebasse Chardonnay (Piemonte), Bodegas Bianchi 2019 IV Generacin Single Block Gran Malbec (Los Chacayes), Daou 2020 Soul of a Lion Cabernet Sauvignon (Adelaida District), Morgan 2021 Highland Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands), Samuel Louis Smith 2021 Escolle Vineyard Gamay Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands), Gmez de Segura 2018 Finca Ratn Reserva (Rioja), Vias Leizaola 2019 Caminos de Sacramento (Rioja), Casa Primicia 2018 Carravalseca Crianza (Rioja), Infinito 2020 Winemaker's Selection Malbec (Mendoza), David Paige 2021 RPG Vineyard Pinot Blanc (Eola-Amity Hills), Castle Rock 2021 Pinot Noir (Mendocino County), Middleridge 2021 Beshke Family Pinot Noir (Palos Verdes Peninsula), Castle Rock 2021 Cuve Pinot Noir (California), By continuing to use our Services and/or submitting the above information, you agree to our use of cookies and the terms of our Close thebunghole immediately to seal the sulfur dioxide inside. If you can, wrap it in plastic. There are also DIY sealant alternatives available, as well as online purchases of these sealants. Understanding all the unique elements of the barrel will give you a better idea of where all those flavorful notes come from and what goes into that distinctive taste in the bottle. Each strain of yeast has its own flavor compound.. In his new role, David will oversee all Distillery operations including keeping a close eye on our award-winning spirits. To ensure proper drainage, a drill hole for draining a barrel must be drilled. The Black Tuesday is an imperial stout that is aged in bourbon oak barrels and it is the beer that inspired me to attempt a strong barrel aged beer. If you use a formed-plastic liner, slide it into the barrel. Second, notice the aroma. It can be done by filling the area with a ration of 1:4 distilled water and unbleached flour and then curing and sealing it with a blow torch. That tax revenue has become vital to Kentuckys bourbon-producing communities, who use the money to help fund local fire departments, police departments, emergency medical services, school districts and more. Whiskey Barrels are made from 33 staves made of American white oak. And to ensure every barrel gets adequate exposure to heat changes, many palletized warehouses have artificial climate control, which is another added expense. The first step in the distilling process is fermentation.
This bottle is a seven-year-old blend of barrels with a bourbon mash bill of 78% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye, which just so happens to be Heaven Hills bourbon mash bill. Although cleaning barrelsseems daunting, it can be boiled down tofew easy steps. Make a citric acid solution by dissolving 1 teaspoon of citric acid and 2 A mother of four, Carrie likes to keep moving and enjoys learning about history, which suits her well for leading tours at the Distillery. Drill four or five holes in an x-pattern in the bottom of the barrel for drainage. Lacquering them will not improve the liquors flavor, so avoid it. Kentucky taxes distillers at a rate of $0.05 per $100 in value. When the bourbon goes in the barrel, it must be no more than 125 proof (62.5% alcohol by volume or ABV) then bottled at a minimum of 80 proof (40% ABV). You can soak for longer to make sure all holes are closed up. You can buy a bottle on. It starts with the mash bill, aka the recipe of grains in the mix. The sealant helps to fill in the pores of the wood and creates a barrier between the whiskey and the outside world. Make sure towet theoutside ends of the barrel with hot water and let themsoak for half an hour. Drill a hole in the bung and insert the spigot. Open with Caution Once opened, whiskey in the bottle will oxidize faster, and flavor compounds will slowly change and grow dull. Transitioning from grapes to grains, Andrea knows exactly how to lead a great tour and loves meeting new folks from Fredericksburg and beyond. Our bottling line can comfortably accommodate six people, but we typically operate it with merely half of that. Filling the Barrel Just Half-Full! Its an American whiskey, distilled from at least 51% corn and aged in new, charred oak containers. Seal. Before you start aging your beer, wine or spirit, it is recommended that you soak your barrel. However, the following may offer the most noticeable impact, according to distillers. Staple or nail the liner to the barrel's top, either along the top edge or on the barrel's exterior. Charred bourbon barrels have their interiors exposed to an intense open flame that burns the wood at a temperature of 500 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. So, if a barrel of bourbon has been aging for 10-years, its owner has paid the barrel tax ten times. Bourbon must be made of a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn. WebBarrel Prep. This can unearth different flavors in the bottle. Copyright 1996-2023 BeerAdvocate. When aging spirits in a barrel, one of the most significant benefits is the preservation of the product, the prevention of mold growth, and the extension of its shelf life. You want smoothness, complexity, a good, long finish on it.. Carrie is originally from Oklahoma, and she has lived in Greece, Hawaii, New York, South Korea, and Virginia. It may take a few batches, but the results will be worth it. Many HB 5 supporters say the barrel tax hinders business prospects for Kentuckys signature industry. but I never know w, New York City at the turn of the 20thCentury was a town brimming with possibility, connecting the old world with the ne. If the sulfur smell is gone, you should light another sulfur disc. WebKeep your barrel shrink-wrapped, out of direct sunlight in a cool (55 - 60 degree) and optimally humid (65%-75%) area until ready to use. After distillation, the clear liquid is called new make spirit, although the more colorful term often used is white dog.. The presence of SO2 gas ensures that there is no mold growth. Respect Beer. 2023 Rabbit Hole Spirits, LLC. This will help wash the barrel, seal the staves and heads, and perhaps give it more life while you can put a beer in there. WebPart 1 of 4: Cleaning the Barrel Hoops [DIY Series: Refurbishing a Whiskey or Wine Barrel] Mystic Barrels 1.84K subscribers Subscribe 95K views 2 years ago Mystic Barrels DIY Today, she puts her experience to work managing production compliance, shipping and receiving, and gift shop operations. To be labeled as straight whiskey, the product must be aged at least two years. Good luck, keep us updated. So now youve responsibly filled your purged barrels. All rights reserved. It is a strong, flavorful spirit that is often enjoyed neat or on the rocks. However, to turn a full or one-half-gallon whiskey barrel into a water feature, you must take extra precautions to ensure that the barrel is completely sealed. Small batch bourbon is when only a hundred or so barrels are mixed. . Mix, store.. drain.. screw the staves together at the bands when the barrel is wetted out and fully sealed. Most major distillers blend hundreds (if not thousands) of barrels together. There are a few things to keep in mind before committing to a bourbon barrel. The stamped lid is called the money end.. It's a bit of a no-brainer here. [The bourbon industry] has record profits, record growth, record expansions and to me, it's just greed., As the bourbon sector celebrates, local governments scramble. Make sure you have a working bung in it. When HB 5 takes effect, that tax revenue will slowly start to dwindle, pushing local governments to find alternative funding sources. The reason why this matters is simple. The yeast: This tends to have a more nuanced effect, but theres a reason that distillers are picky about the yeast strain used to ferment their mash. Interested in diving into a glass of bourbon but not sure where to start? Small batch bourbons are produced by mixing the contents of a small number of hand-selected barrels, typically 10 15, but sometimes up to 200. Bourbon is as versatile as any other spirit out there.. : Its namesake Bourbon is one of the best workhorses for your bar. in History and enjoys working with the public, being able to interact with groups of all ages, and prides herself in her ability to provide excellent customer service by giving distillery tours.
This way, the barrel remains protected from microbial growth, and it remains moist. Everything from the particular tree used for the wood to the storage location in the warehouse will come through in the bottle, delivering a one-of-a-kind experience. It is also much more highly curated.
Rickhouses store bourbon barrels horizontally in racks (also known as bricks),typically three barrels high. How to Make a Fountain Out of a Wine Barrel, Pond Liners Online: The Perfect Wooden Barrel Water Feature Lined with a Pond Liner, How to grow your own herb garden in any indoor or outdoor space, How to Convert a Whiskey Barrel to a Rain Barrel, How to Grow Strawberries on the Outside of a Barrel. Of course the older the bourbon is, the less of it there will be when the barrel is emptied, so keep that in mind when choosing. The cutting method impacts the wood structure, while the location of the board in the tree creates variations in extractable levels of volatiles. 3. The barrels used for bourbon are typically made from charred and aged American white oak, which is meant to last at least two years. Do you find it pleasing? Once in the stills, the wash is heated and the vapor is condensed and collected as a liquid. Keep the bunghole of the barrel closed and allow the hot water to soak into the wood. As our Operations Supervisor, Bill oversees the smooth operation of our distillery. 2. Once in the stills, the wash is heated and the vapor is condensed and collected as a liquid. How To Preserve A Whiskey Barrel. Darker Bourbons tend to be more intense, he says. Char layers are typically between 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch deep. If you enjoy the distinctivetaste of a whiskey from a barrel previously used port wine or rum, you'll have to exit the bourbon market, which focuses on a purer flavor. You need to light a sulfur burner inside the barrel to preserve the barrel. Do not swallow immediately. Coming to us from New Orleans, David was one of the three founding members of NOLA Distilling and was the Distillery Operations Manager at Sazerac House. While this style of whiskey does not have any legal definition, the industry coined the term to represent the bourbons more complicated and curated nature. And though Bourbon is deeply rooted in tradition, producers experiment with nearly every aspect, from the various grains used for its base to fancy barrel finishes and ever-climbing alcohol levels. These types of flavors can be found in standard bourbons, but often the blend of whiskeys mutes the profile or can completely change it. By understanding the basics of bourbon barrels, you can begin to identify someunique elements of each bottle's flavor profile. When not at the bottling line, you will see Justin helping out with barreling and organizing the warehouse. At the end of the day, local taxpayers are going to pay up more money in the future.. The third reason is that the barrels are filled with wine, which is a very viscous liquid, and the wine prevents the barrel from leaking. During the seasoning process, the staves are exposed to another set of variants, including temperatures, humidity, and microorganisms. A typical bourbon barrel or cask is a large wooden vessel usually constructed from American white oak. 5. Ken is a Michigan native who spent six years in the Marine Corps and nine years in the Army. If the temperature is too cold, the bourbon will not age properly Importantly, for Kentucky, the bourbon tax is the only type of tax in the world like this, Waters said. Cleaning your home with clean water is important because mold can develop if you use dirty water. It is normal for the barrel to drip until the wood has swelled. Though Kentucky is known as the spiritual home of Bourbon, the spirit can be made in any US state. At this stage, the liquid is called wash.. If you learn nothing else from this threadat least remember to seal the bung hole. Others bottle it at a higher alcohol level because that can be more flavorful. The best way to prepare your barrel is to use hot water to soak the barrel. Rinsing the barrel thoroughly prevents any mold from growing. Bourbon must be distilled to no more than 160 proof, barreled at no higher than 125 proof, and bottled at no less than 80 proof. Any basic steel tube with a sight glass will do the job nicely. Oak barrels can be used for up to 100 years if you clean them the proper way. The pressure of the woods arrangement keeps the barrel watertight. The length of timea bourbon spends in the barrel impacts the finished flavor. 4. Make sure that the ends of the staves are nice and smooth so that they will fit together well. Char layers are typically between 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch deep. On This 5 year old barrel strength bourbon isnt afraid to show its proof, as the nose reveals an underlying layer of ethanol which leaves no doubt that this bourbon is ready to hit hard. Bottled-in-Bond: An at least four-year-old whiskey produced in a single distillery during a single distillation season and bottled at 50% abv (100 proof). Waters said new distilleries could bring opportunities for more Kentucky counties to benefit from the tourism surrounding bourbon. : Founder Joe Beatrice scours the country for special barrels of Bourbon, then blends them in his Kentucky facility. Bourbon barrels are watertight because of the way they are made. At this stage, the liquid is called wash.. Sometimes you can leave it in longer. Producers can opt for column stills, which produces a lighter-style spirit, or pot stills, which produces a richer, more robust spirit. The duration of the char varies depending on the level of char desired. If you used flexible pond liner, remove the rocks or bricks, if desired, after the barrel is filled with water; the water's weight presses that liner firmly against the barrel's sides and bottom. 5.