I have some brandy in neutral french oak 225L barrels and after two years of age the evaporative losses are a little higher than I would like. Boiled linseed oil is recommended for use on barrels in wine cellars but my barrels have not had that treatment. Is it possible that a linseed oil application to the outside of these barrels would seal the wood and reduce the losses?
Does the anyone have some specific experience or insight on this?