Maturing whisky at home

[albo]

I've seen a couple of threads on this over the years and have finally gotten round to seriously considering giving this a go.

I'm thinking of picking up a 2lt barrel, then adding some finishing alcohol to it (Sherry, Rum, Port etc), then adding an already matured whisky once the finishing spirit is removed, something like a Talisker 10 for example, just any old day to day whisky which happens to be on offer at the supermarket when I go.

Reading on the web, it seems in the barrel of that size I wont be able to leave the whisky in there long (circa 4 months) before it takes on too much oak influence and spoils. However, by my reckoning, if I put, say port in there first for ~6 months and ruin the port, that's no bad thing and the barrel at that point would be ready to add a port finish to my whisky, the original port would have drawn out a fair amount of oak influence enabling me to leave the whisky in for maybe 6 months, while adding an interesting finish to my whisky.

Id love to hear your thoughts on this and if anyone has done anything similar, is it a daft idea?

For info, the reason I'm going for a 2lt barrel, is because it wont cost too much to fill it up, so should it all go very wrong I've not invested that much. I've not get come to a conclusion about what to put in the barrel first up, but thinking of playing it safe with either Sherry or Port and then I'm greatly fussed on what whisky I put in there after, assuming it will be a reasonable cost and I enjoy the standard. I'll keep some of the standard back as a control to compare against, and probably taste every month out of the barrel to try and not let it take on too much oak.

Cheers

[Innes]

I have toyed with the idea in the past, the idea of one of the big peaty southern Islay whiskies finished in port of a good sherry really appealed to me but what put me off is talking to someone who said that these small barrels can be unpredictable and can leak badly leaving you topping it up often.

[sorren]

Hi, I have done this a few times with a 2l barrel, my first bit of advice is be prepared to fail... I did my finish with port then glenfidich 12yo, I needed about 3l of fiddich to get through the 6 months I left it, also make sure you get all the port / sherry out before adding the Whisky, sample on a weekly if not more often after the first month, it will spoil very quick !! Remember though if you use a cheap port/ sherry it will show in the finish, also if you can afford to use a cask strength Whisky I would as I found it gave a better result in another attempt I did... Good luck and hope you have loads of fun..

[bodger]

There is one problem which you cannot do much about i.e. the angels share ,these casks are so thin in the stave that spirit will evaporate very quick. If you empty a commercial cask , then cut it in half for tubs you will see that the liquid has seeped abou 80 % in distance through the wood. The only thing that I can sugest is wrap the cask in cling film. Experiments have been conducted commercially, but no practial method has evolved for a 10cwt butt. Bodger (nice to hear the gurgle of a dog)

[albo]

Thanks very much for the input and support, I've put in my request to santa so I'll see what he brings later in the year, its something I'm doing for fun, which could be a big waste of money and time, or it could be something which is enjoyable.

Either way it will keep me quiet for a while.

If anyone else has thoughts or opinions on this please feel free to post.

[Quaich1]

[bifter]

You gave me some wacky ideas for finishing!

Cointreau finished Glen Moray (to complement those orange notes).
Pastis finished Laphroaig (aniseed and peat?)
Amaretto finished Glenmorangie.

On reflection these may be horrible but I can but conjure! You, my friend, can find out...
_________________
"Whisky is liquid sunshine."
[George Bernard Shaw]

[albo]

At the moment, I need it to be approved by my direct link to santa and depending on the amunt of shoes / handbags I ply her with, depends on how likly it is that Santa recieves my wishes.

As for naming, I could go for Albo Glen, or Glen Obla, or I could go for one of these fancy dan style names that is all about the marketing 'The Ninja Star', or I could go for a SMWS inspired naming 'A Garage in the winter sun'.

And when it comes to finishes Bifter, the possibilities are endless, a peach schnapps finished Glenlivet Nadurra, or a Courvoisier finished Auchentoshan. Or more likly an over oaked Ardbeg with a hint of cheap port.

[JAB]

check out my attempt -
http://www.scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2032&highlight=
http://www.scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2239&highlight=