Empty Oak Ageing Barrel for Ageing Whisky and Rum | 1, 1.5, 3 or 5 litre

Description

An ageing barrel (or aging barrel, as it’s called in the USA) lets you age your own spirits at home: whisky and rum, but also bourbon, brandy, port and sherry.

Whisky runs in our family. We’re a small family-run business, and my great-great-great-uncle, Michael Molloy, founded the Tullamore distillery in 1829. So we know what time in oak does for a spirit: the char inside the barrel draws out tannins and lactones, building vanilla and caramel flavours and mellowing the finish so it’s richer and smoother.

How to use your oak ageing barrel

With your own ageing barrel, you age your spirit to your own taste. All our barrels have a medium char, which opens up the surface of the oak so it works closely with the whisky or rum inside.

That gives a fuller mouthfeel and a wider range of notes, so your spirit opens up and lingers on the palate. The charred layer works a little like charcoal, too, softening harsh edges as it mellows.

You decide when it’s ready. A couple of weeks may be enough for a lighter touch; for a deep, resinous flavour, some people leave it for up to a year. Small barrels age spirits much more quickly than the big casks used in distilleries, because so much more of the spirit touches the wood. Just taste it every couple of weeks until it’s right for you.

Looked after well, your barrel will last for years, and each batch comes out a little differently, so keep tasting. That’s definitely no hardship!

Ageing rum in your oak barrel

Rum takes beautifully to oak. A few weeks in a medium-charred barrel softens a young rum’s sharp edges and builds the vanilla, caramel and toasted notes found in older aged rums. Small barrels work fast because so much of the spirit touches the wood, so taste every week or two until it’s right for you. Many customers also use it as a rum ageing barrel to make their own spiced rum at Christmas, and with a bottle of rum alongside, it makes a great Christmas gift.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to prepare the barrel before use?
Yes. Every barrel must be cured first: fill it with water for a few days until the wood swells and stops leaking. Small leaks at first are completely normal.

How long should I age my spirit?
It’s up to your taste. Small barrels work fast, so start tasting after one to two weeks and check weekly.

Can I age rum in it?
Absolutely. Rum picks up vanilla and caramel quickly, and the barrel is great for making your own spiced rum. Use a dedicated barrel for spiced rum, as spices flavour the wood permanently.

Which size should I choose?
We sell 1, 1.5, 3 and 5 litre barrels. Smaller barrels age faster; larger barrels give you more to share and age more gently.

How long will the barrel last?
Looked after well, 8 to 10 years. The golden rule: never let it dry out.

For full step-by-step instructions, see our oak barrel care guide.

Manufacturer and product safety information

Manufacturer and importer: The Lineage Group (Heritage Glasses), Sissalbaan 5A, 2325 AZ Leiderdorp, The Netherlands. Email: info@heritageglasses.com

Product: Oak Ageing Barrel.