I want to do some whiskey-barrel type beers without a barrel. I plan to get some oak, char it, then soak it in some whiskey for a while. Then I'll either move the wood to the beer, or dose the beer with the whiskey - any opinions on which is better?
But what I really want to know is, where do you get your oak? I'm looking for American white oak, like is typically used to make barrels. All I can find at the local big-box store is red oak, which I've read is lacking in vanillin, so would be inferior for my purposes. Any ideas? Specialty lumber shop? Internet?
Thanks!