53 gallon Whiskey Barrels

[Oregon Spirit Distillers]

We want to start laying away our bourbon in 53 gallon barrels. So far everything is in 30 gallon from the Barrel Mill. they are great barrels but not available in 53's.

What other suppliers should I talk to besides Independent Stave?

We want to purchase 36 to 48 per year.

Brad Irwin

Oregon Spirit Distillers

[Panoscape]

You might try http://seguinmoreaunapa.com/ They're in Napa, CA.

[bradocaster]

Kelvin,

www.kelvincooperage.com

[rumfarmer]

Black Swan

http://www.blackswanbarrels.com

[ASD Sales]

McGinnis wood products in Missouri.

http://mcginnisbourbonbarrels.com/

Chris Burnette

[bourbonstill]

I just received four barrels from McGinnis this week. I have not used them just yet, obviously.

While we are on this topic, I would be curious to hear at what proof others barrel their whiskey/bourbon.

Also, I keep reading about barrel strength bourbons at above 130 proof. Does anyone know how this is possible as the regs clearly state that 125 proof is the max?

[jeffw]

Depending on your climate, proof may go up over time.

[bourbonstill]

How can proof rise?

Does the water evaporate faster than alcohol in the barrel?

[JohninWV]

As a general rule, in a drier environment, proof will rise. Water is evaporating at a greater rate than the alcohol.

In a humid environment, proof will go down. Alcohol will evaporate at a greater rate than water.

We have found that our fairly humid environment causes our proof to drop in the barrel. We also source quite a bit of whiskey. Those barrels where the hoops are rusted, and I would assume stored in a humid environment, are lower proof than those barrels with clean hoops.