Wood Barrel Fermenter

I am toying with the idea of using a wood barrel as a fermenter, but have a few questions...

Anybody have any experience with this? Does it come out with a quality drink.

Also where is the easiest cheapest sources to buy, say, a white oak barrel with a medium char?

Would it be best to go through my local distiller and use spent barrels, or might any residual alcohol in the used barrel harm the SCOBY?

Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

I'm also going this way. Vinegar barrel, no char. Soak in distilled water first. I'm told no cleaning needed and they work well for KT.