Guys
Not sure which section to post this in, I got a balcones barrel from black friday. Date on it says it was dumped 11/2/16. Is this considered "freshly" dumped? The reason I ask is because everything I am reading here on the forums says to keep it wet inside with come cheap bourbon to prevent drying out. I am curious if it has already dried out and maybe I need to swell it first with some 180 degree water then put the bourbon in but I don't want to lose any bourbon goodness when swelling with the water. I guess the other option is to just put some cheap bourbon in it now and see what happens. If it leaks then I'll need to swell with 180 degree water.
Thoughts?
Thanks
Scott
Not sure which section to post this in, I got a balcones barrel from black friday. Date on it says it was dumped 11/2/16. Is this considered "freshly" dumped? The reason I ask is because everything I am reading here on the forums says to keep it wet inside with come cheap bourbon to prevent drying out. I am curious if it has already dried out and maybe I need to swell it first with some 180 degree water then put the bourbon in but I don't want to lose any bourbon goodness when swelling with the water. I guess the other option is to just put some cheap bourbon in it now and see what happens. If it leaks then I'll need to swell with 180 degree water.
Thoughts?
Thanks
Scott
