Preparing the Barrel.

ATTENTION & IMPORTANT TO READ TO THE END.

Congratulations on purchasing your new barrel, you'll love it!

Our barrels are made of French oak from Slovenia, one of the best places in the world for the production of this noble wood. Dried for three years and assembled by artisan coopers, the barrels impart an exquisite flavor to your recipes and bring complexity and unique character to your production. This will allow you to experiment with aging infused spirits, such as gin, rum, syrups, cocktails, wine, or even vinegars.

All our barrels include the rack, tap and 2 stoppers.

How to age in barrels?

To age, simply fill the Oak Barrel with your alcohol or mixture, and store it in a humid place protected from sunlight and heat.

The duration can vary from a few weeks to several months, depending on the taste you want to achieve.

The principle of barrel aging is to transmit the taste of wood (oak) to your alcohol.

The longer the aging period, the more pronounced the oak flavor will be and the darker the color will be.

Important: Since wood is a living material, this barrel may shrink. To prevent it from falling apart, it is important to store it in a sufficiently humid environment, or ideally, use it within the first few weeks. To ensure the barrel's longevity, always leave it a quarter full.

USER GUIDE

New oak barrels are hygienic because their wood was heated directly over the fire during their manufacture. They are heated to bend and position the hoops, and to enhance the flavors.

BARREL ASSEMBLY

1. Insert the tap into the hole at the front of the barrel. Place the spout upright.
2. Tap the faucet in with a small hammer until it is seated and airtight.
3. Fill the barrel and insert the cap into the hole on top.

SEAL THE BARREL

Before first use, fill the barrel to capacity with water. If you notice any leaks, this is completely normal. The treatment you are applying allows the wood to swell and seal the cracks. Make sure to keep the water in the barrel until the cracks are properly closed and the leaks stop. This can take a few days.

If LEAKS persist

You can seal them by melting wax (beeswax, candle wax) and pouring the melted wax into the crevices. The oak wood must be dry to allow the wax to adhere. Never pour wax inside the barrel. It will contaminate the liquid inside.

BARREL PREPARATION

Before using the barrel, empty it completely and use one of the following two techniques:

1. NEW Barrel: Fill it with hot water. Turn it upside down and empty it until the water runs clear.
2. USED ​​Barrel: Cleaning and sanitation measures are required. After each use, rinse the barrel thoroughly with water to remove debris. For a deeper cleaning, dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda in 1 liter of water. Saturate the interior surfaces of the barrel with the product for 5 to 10 minutes. Empty and refill the barrel with your alcohol or other liquid.

PAUSE in using the barrel

If you're not going to use the barrel for an extended period of time, it's important to keep it in a humid place. This will prevent the wood from shrinking, which could cause leaks or the hoops to fall out. It's also recommended to pour neutral alcohol into the barrel to prevent mold from growing. Please note that it's normal to see a change in color on the barrel; it will darken in some areas.

Ageing your Alcohol

To age alcohol, simply fill the barrel to capacity with your preparation. Store in a humid place, away from heat and light. Aging time depends on individual taste. Allow a few weeks to a maximum of 3 years. Any liquid aged in an oak barrel absorbs the delicious flavors of the wood. The longer you keep alcohol in your barrel, the more pronounced its oak flavor and darker its color will be. It is normal to lose some of your liquid through evaporation; this is called the angel's share. Strain your liquid before bottling.

Enjoy your production, it's a gift from heaven.