I have been making maturation barrels for my own use over the past year. So far the spirits include rum, peated whiskey, gin, aurora whiskey and rye.
As a small scale home distiller, the maturation phase is the most challenging. Commercial distillers typically use 225 litre barrels, known as barriques. These are way too big for home distillers to use, so many home distillers use small size wooden barrels of 10 or 20 litres.
The problem with the smaller barrels is that there is a lot more surface area of wood that the spirit is in contact with than you have with the big 225 litre barrels.
This is known as the "Surface area to Volume ratio". That means that the maturation goes way too fast and you get an over extraction of tannins which can give your spirit a bitter taste.
The way that I have solved this problem, is by using a stainless steel pot and pressing a prepared oak head / lid in to it. This combination of stainless steel and oak head, mimicks the surface area/ volume ratio of a Bordeaux barrique of 225 litres. This means no "over oaking" of the spirit.
The barrel dimensions are: 210mm deep, 230mm round. Dry weight is 1.470kg. They hold 6 liters of your spirit with some space at the top called ullage.
Made from second use French oak which I source from the Hawkes Bay. The oak has been used to age mainly Pinot Noir for 2-4 years.
The inside of the head which does all the work to bring out tannins and vanillans is carefully planed by hand to clean up and expose fresh oak. All heads are then toasted and charred to medium.
The oak barrels originally come from France or from the USA. The USA ones are harder to obtain and require much more 'work' to get them into shape.
The bung is hand made from the same oak source and the tap is stainless just like the barrel body.
All barrels go through a complete 2 day 'wetting' process prior to delivery. This ensures the oak expands and seals correctly. They are delivered empty but still retain some moisture.
You can rinse out the barrel with clean fresh water on arrival and then fill with your spirit.
If you plan to fill it later, then store it full of water with the addition of 5mls citric acid and 5mls potassium metabisulphite.
Also included is a simple wooden stand made from recycled timber.
Our Barrels
Barrel Right Side
Barrel Left Side
Barrel Front
Barrel Bung Close Up
Barrel Tap Close Up
Costs
Each barrel costs $195
Shipping & pick-up options from Auckland.
These are estimated current costs.
Courier, Auckland - $6.90
Courier, Auckland - Rural - $12.80
Courier, Rest of North Island - $14.00
Courier, Rest of North Island - Rural $18.00
Courier, South Island - $22.00
Courier, South Island - Rural - $25.00
Pick-up available from Mt Eden, Auckland - Free
Contact and Order
If you wish to order or have any questions then please email me.
Email is the best way as I'm often working on new barrels and might miss your call.
