How do I flavour my mead?

[Hreidarr]

IImade my first ever batch of mead and I wanted to give my mead an interesting, kind of smokey/woody taste, and I was wondering if adding some charred Oak in a cheesecloth would be enough or whether I actually have to age it in a barrel.
Problem is I'm strapped for cash so I wanted to know if there are any other ways apart from a barrel.

 

[SKBugs]

Definitely don't need a barrel. Depending on the size of you brew, oak chips are fine. Oak dominoes or spirals are probably better. A couple of weeks before bottling will usually do you fine

 

[Hreidarr]

Definitely don't need a barrel. Depending on the size of you brew, oak chips are fine. Oak dominoes or spirals are probably better. A couple of weeks before bottling will usually do you fine

It's really small, 1litre, as it was my first time. Also, should the oak chips be charred?

 

[Hreidarr]

Definitely don't need a barrel. Depending on the size of you brew, oak chips are fine. Oak dominoes or spirals are probably better. A couple of weeks before bottling will usually do you fine

Thanks, should the oak be charred?

 

[SKBugs]

Depends on your taste. I've really only tried medium oak. I would try a little just before you bottle. I've enjoyed 1/8 ounce for two weeks before bottling. I've also had 1/3 ounce in a low ABV for two weeks as well.

 

[Maylar]

Use oak cubes intended for wine. Don't just add something from your BBQ wood pile.

They call it "toast" not charred. There's different toast levels and different varieties - American, French, and Hungarian oak. Preparing the wood for wine flavoring is a science and not something you want to try yourself.