5L American Oak Barrel - Upright (Medium char)

Care of New Barrel
Brand new barrels are about as sanitary as they can be as the wood has been heated over direct fire in the process of making the barrel.  This is done in order to bend the staves into place and to enhance various flavour accents.

Important: Be sure to store your barrel in a cool/humid place out of direct sunlight to avoid issues with your barrel. Warmer temperatures and direct sunlight can lead to weeping of your barrel and faster evaporation rates.

How to seal the barrel
Like any new oak barrel, they must be filled with water so the oak can swell and eliminate leaks.  These leaks often seal themselves in only a few hours to a couple of days depending on how dry the barrel is. To ensure that the leak stops the barrel must be kept full until it stops, be sure to rotate the water every couple of days to avoid the water stagnating and bacterial growths from forming. Using fresh water or filtered water free of chlorine is always preferred when doing this.

If the leak persists you can seal them by applying the barrel wax we supply with every keg and placing the wax over the areas that leak, then using a hair dryer to melt the wax so it can work its way into the leak to block it up.  The oak must be dry in order for the wax to adhere and seal the barrel.  Never place wax on the inside of the barrel as it will spoil the contents of the barrel

How to prepare for use
roughly 10% fill the barrel with hot or boiling water which is chlorine free, briskly shake it for 1-2 minutes and empty, repeat until the colour of the water comes out transparent. Bits of loose charred wood may come out during this process. The barrel is now ready for use and is highly recommended to fill with your liquor within 5 days as bacterial growths can form if the barrel is left empty for too long after this process

Be sure to fill your barrel to between 75%-95% full with your favourite drop for good barrel health. If you fill your barrel with less than this amount ensure that you tighten the filler cap and turn the barrel upside down for a couple of hours once a week for the first fortnight to soak the top portion of the barrel with your favourite drop. It is also suggested that this be done with all barrels periodically to ensure the top of the barrel is kept hydrated. Remember to never let your barrel go completely dry as it may lose its ability to reseal.

Please note that to operate the tap the stopper on top of the barrel must be slightly opened to stop air lock from occurring.

How to age wines and liquors
To age wines or liquors, simply fill the barrel with your favourite product and store in a humid place where it is not exposed to sunlight or heat, as this will slow the rate of evaporation.  The time required depends on your choice and taste. Ageing wine or liquor in a barrel has the effect of transmitting the taste of the oak to your product inside the barrel.  The longer you store a wine or liquor the stronger the oak taste that you will get from the wood and also the darker the colour will become. Be aware there will be evaporation over time so it is recommended to regularly check the inside if your barrel and top up as needed, its best to keep your barrel full at all times.

1.5L (1.5kg)

Head: 130mm

Middle: 160mm

Length: 200mm

3L (2.5kg)

Head width: 160mm

Middle width: 200mm

Length: 240mm

5L (3.5KG)

Head width: 190mm

Middle width: 220mm

Length: 270mm

10L (6.5KG)

Head width: 240mm

Middle width: 280mm

Length: 330mm

15L (8kg)

Head width: 280mm

Middle width: 320mm

Length: 390mm

25L (12KG)

Head width: 310mm

Middle width: 380mm

Length: 460mm

50L (20KG)

Head width: 415mm

Middle width: 440mm

Length: 520mm

100L (32KG)

Head width: 415mm

Middle width: 500mm

Length: 800mm

Shipping calculated at the checkout

The 5L American Oak Barrel is available for shipping AUSTRALIA WIDE and in the following locations:

• Adelaide & Regional South Australia

• Melbourne & Regional Victoria

• Sydney & Regional New South Wales

• Hobart and Regional Tasmania

• Brisbane & Regional Queensland

• Perth & Regional Western Australia

• Darwin & Regional Northern Territory

• Canberra ACT