Distillers of rum typically age their rum in all sorts of barrels, with the two most common being American and French oak barrels. These barrels have lived in the Caribbean for some time and have been used to age various types of spirits.
American oak barrels are typically made from white oak, and often have a sweeter and softer flavor compared to French oak barrels. As a result, these barrels are often used to age younger rums and rum blends which result in a lighter flavor.
French oak barrels generally impart a deeper and more complex flavor. Due to the more intense flavor, these barrels are generally used for aging different styles of rums, such as dark rums, spiced rums, and higher proof rums.
Occasionally distillers will also use other barrels such as sherry, port, or cognac. These barrels impart sweet or fruity flavors such as raisin, prune, or brown sugar.
Ultimately, distillers are free to experiment with different barrels as they please, with the ultimate goal to create a high-quality rum with a unique flavor.
Is rum stored in a barrel?
Yes, rum is typically stored in barrels or containers to help it age properly. The barrel aging process helps to give the rum its signature flavor, color, and aroma. Barrel aging also helps preserve the rum, while also allowing some elements of the barrel, such as toasted oak and caramelized sugars, to contribute to the flavor of the spirit.
Depending on the type of rum and the desired flavor, rum can be aged in a variety of barrel types, such as charred oak, sherry, and cognac. The length of time the rum is aged can also vary by type, and some rums are aged for as long as five to seven years.
Is white rum oaked?
No, white rum is not typically oaked. Rum is a type of liquor made from fermented sugarcane molasses or sugarcane juice. White rum is a light and transparent type of rum that has been aged for a short amount of time, usually 6 to 12 months.
During this aging process, the rum is filtered, which removes most of the color and flavor elements imparted by the barrel. Therefore, white rum is not oaked, or exposed to oak barrels in the aging process, hence its nearly clear and neutral color and flavor.
Can you buy a barrel of whiskey from a distillery?
Yes, you can buy a barrel of whiskey from a distillery. Buying in bulk directly from the distillery can be a great way to get a high quality whiskey at an affordable cost. However, there are a few things to consider before committing to such a purchase.
Depending on the distillery, you may be able to buy anything from a single barrel of premium whiskey to a full-bodied blended whiskey. You should also consider whether you want to buy aged or unaged whiskey.
Usually, full-bodied blended whiskey and aged whiskey tend to cost more than unaged or lesser-quality products. Additionally, buying a barrel of whiskey could mean that you have to come up with a storage facility for it yourself, as many distilleries are unable to provide this for you.
Before you buy a barrel of whiskey from a distillery, it is important to research the cost of each option, factor in any additional storage fees, and compare different types and qualities in order to make the best purchase.
What do distilleries do with old barrels?
Distilleries often reuse old barrels until they are no longer fit for purpose due to the flavor and precisely-aged character the old barrels impart in their distillates. This can be difficult to ensure when the wood has been left exposed to the elements and has generally reached the end of its life.
In this situation, distilleries often turn to repurposing the old barrels in multiple ways. Depending on the material used, they may be destroyed and turned into mulch to fertilize other plants. Other times, they can be completely reconstructed and reused to age whisky or whiskey, beer, and even wine! Alternatively, distilleries may choose to sell their old barrels to other distilleries, homebrewers, restaurants, or craft brewers.
The barrels can also be repurposed as decorations, furniture, and even art. Some craft distilleries have even gone so far as to create items such as notebooks, mugs, and tumblers from the wood of used barrels.
If a distillery chooses to repurpose its used barrels, its best to do so with extreme care and precision – it doesn’t take much for barrels to leak and ruin whatever precious contents they contain. It’s also a matter of safety, as the wood in old barrels is often quite fragile.
How much does an empty bourbon barrel cost?
The cost of an empty bourbon barrel depends on a few factors, including the type of barrel, the size and condition of the barrel, and where you purchase it. Generally speaking, oak barrels in the standard 53-gallon size range in price from around $100 – $150.
Smaller 10-gallon barrels can range from $60 – $100. Used bourbon barrels may cost around half the price. Finally, the price of an empty bourbon barrel may vary depending on where you purchase it. In general, craft distilleries tend to offer a better price for barrels, while private sellers may be more expensive.
Does Jack Daniels reuse their barrels?
Yes, Jack Daniels does reuse their barrels. The barrels are used to age their whiskey for up to five years, but afterwards they are sent off to Scotland, where they are used to age single malt Scotch whiskey.
There they are re-coopered and charred to ensure they are ready for use again. Jack Daniels then purchases the barrels back and brings them stateside in order to age their Black Label Tennessee whiskey.
The barrels are only able to be used twice as the second aging process is too intense and harsh for the wood. After the second round, the barrels can only be used for decoration.
How many times can a distillery use a barrel?
Most distilleries can use a barrel up to four or five times, depending on the type of spirit being produced. Each time the distiller refills the barrel, the whiskey is exposed to the different wood flavors and compounds, which can affect its flavor and aroma.
Additionally, the size of the barrels used vary, as does the length of time each batch is aged, which further contributes to the flavor of the final product. As the barrel is filled and emptied multiple times, more and more of the whiskey seeps out, lowering the total volume of the available liquid with each refill.
As such, after typically about four or five refills, the barrel is no longer able to provide enough whiskey to be used in production. It is at this point that the distillery would need to retire the barrel from active use and use a new one.
However, the used barrels can still be repurposed into other items, such as furniture or even large works of art.
How long does alcohol last in barrel?
The length of time that alcohol lasts in a barrel varies depending on the type and quality of spirit, the quality of the barrel, as well as environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and air circulation.
Generally, lighter and lower proof spirits such as vodka, gin and light rum, will mature and mature in flavor for about a year in an oak barrel, while stronger spirits such as whisky and brandy can benefit from several years or longer in a barrel.
Factors such as the size and type of barrel, the charring of the interior, and even the environment in which they are stored can play a role in how quickly the alcohol matures. Some distillers may monitor the barrels throughout the aging process, adding more alcohol and/or water to maintain a consistent flavor profile.
However, in general, two to five years of barrel aging is the most common period of time for the average spirit. Even after the spirit is bottled, it continues to age in the bottle and the flavor profile can still change over time, although much more slowly.
Does rum improve with age?
The answer to this question depends on the type of rum. Generally, molasses-based rums mature similarly to whiskey, and can improve with aging in oak barrels. However, rum distilled from sugar cane juice is rarely aged.
Flavors in these rums are generally developed mainly through the processes used in fermentation and distillation, rather than aging in oak barrels. Beyond giving it a darker color. On the other hand, some rums are aged to give them a distinct flavor and color, which improves the complexity and depth of the spirit.
It’s important to check the labels on each bottle of rum to determine if it has been aged. Generally, if aged, the rum will have a color that is darker than molasses and have oak and caramel flavors.
If the rum you are considering buying hasn’t been aged, then the bottle probably won’t improve with age and should immediately be consumed to enjoy the full range of flavors.
How much alcohol evaporates in a barrel?
The amount of alcohol that evaporates in a barrel can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including the material of the barrel, what type of beverage is contained in the barrel and the amount of time the barrel is aged.
For example, an oak barrel usually contains more alcohol loss than a stainless steel barrel due to the oak barrel’s porosity. A beer barrel for example can generally contain about 3-4% more evaporation than what is contained in the barrel when it was first filled.
Other factors that can affect the amount of alcohol evaporation in a barrel are the space between the barrel and the cellar, the temperature and humidity of the cellar and even the environment the barrel is housed in.
Higher temperature and humidity levels generally lead to higher rates of alcohol evaporation in a barrel. If the barrel is stored in a space that has minimal air flow or movement, this can also lead to higher rates of evaporation as trapped air around the barrel will heat up and cause the alcohol molecules to evaporate.
In summary, the amount of alcohol that evaporates in a barrel can vary wildly depending on a number of factors; however, an oak barrel typically contains higher rates of evaporation that what was initially contained in the barrel.
Additionally, higher temperatures, increased humidity and lack of air flow can also increase the rate of evaporation.
