Barrel Instructions & Care Guide
1
Seal barrel before use
To ensure a watertight seal, fill your barrel with hot tap water upon arrival and let it sit for at least 24 hours. This allows the wood to swell and seal properly. After draining, you may notice black deposits, these are normal and result from the toasting and charring process.
Some initial seepage is normal, especially with new or dry barrels, as the wood expands. This sealing process typically takes a few hours but can last up to 24 hours. If leaking persists beyond that, please contact us—we’re committed to resolving the issue promptly.
2
Add your spirit
Initiate the journey of flavor and complexity by introducing your spirits to the barrel. Our barrels are engineered for extended aging, delivering rich, nuanced profiles to your handcrafted and commercial neutral spirits, or enhancing the complexity of your current aged favorites. Allow for 5-10% empty space at the top to accommodate changes in volume (expansion and contraction).
3
Proper storage between uses
Upon emptying, promptly rinse and sanitize the barrel, then fill it with a barrel preservative or a neutral spirit to prevent the barrel head from shrinking due to dehydration. Properly sanitizing prevents bacterial or yeast growth, ensuring the barrel is safe for future use. Several methods exist to ensure barrels are clean and ready for use. Researching online is recommended to find the most suitable method.