[pete b]

My girlfriend got me a new 5 liter cask for Valentine's Day. I have it soaking now and its ready to use. My plan is to age some whiskey in it for a few weeks (small barrels don't take long) then age mead, probably mixed berry, for a few months then age an RIS or BDSA.
I'm going to Yankee Spirits, a huge store with good deals and a large selection tonight. My thought is to get some 1.75 liter bottles of a decent but affordable bourbon. Makers Mark and Four Roses come to mind. Is this a solid plan? Any suggestions on a whiskey? Obviously that much whiskey I want to be good after aging in the barrel, its not simply a matter of getting bourbon flavor in the barrel.

[mchrispen]

Four Roses > Maker's Mark IMO. It's really a matter of preference and how much you are willing to spend. If you are wanting more spot on classic bourbons - then Buffalo Trace or Bulliet come to mind and shouldn't break the bank.

[HoosierBrew]

Four Roses > Maker's Mark IMO. It's really a matter of preference and how much you are willing to spend.

+1.  Four Roses is vastly > IMO.  With the price of Maker's having gone up (at least around here) the price difference isn't a lot ,but the quality is.

[pete b]

Good info. I like whiskey but have only been into it for a few years and sporadically. I'm fine paying more because I'll not need to buy it for quite awhile once its done so no need to be cheap, I want to like it. That being said we have cocktails about once a week so it doesn't need to be a great sipper, it can be my house cocktail whiskey.
I'm wondering if any take to oak more than others.

[pete b]

turned out there was a good deal on Knob Creek 100 proof which I like so went with that.

[Phil_M]

turned out there was a good deal on Knob Creek 100 proof which I like so went with that.

That's one of my favorites. Dunno how it'll work for your use, but it makes a great bourbon vanilla for baking. (split several vanilla beans and soak in bourbon for several months. Then run it all through a coffee filter to filter out the seeds and such.)

[pete b]

And it was a better deal than this.

[69franx]

Pete, that one looks like a "try it at the boss's Xmas party" from his secret stash

[mchrispen]

Ok, seriously. When a bottle costs more than a business class flight to the source (including room, board and a several samples on sight), then something is broken!

[toby]

turned out there was a good deal on Knob Creek 100 proof which I like so went with that.

That was exactly what I was going to suggest.  Very reasonably priced 100 proof bourbon that tasted nice for the price.  That's what I used to keep my 5 gallon barrel usable before the stout I put in it.

[konrad72]

Guys if you need new 10 gallons whiskey barrel just let me know. cost - $150 + shipping (around $40-50) Burbon , American or single malt

[tesgüino]

turned out there was a good deal on Knob Creek 100 proof which I like so went with that.

That was exactly what I was going to suggest.  Very reasonably priced 100 proof bourbon that tasted nice for the price.  That's what I used to keep my 5 gallon barrel usable before the stout I put in it.

Noob (or should I say Knob) question. Do you dilute the whiskey, buy enough to fill the 5 gallon barrel or keep sloshing  a smaller amount around to keep the barrel moist?

[toby]

Noob (or should I say Knob) question. Do you dilute the whiskey, buy enough to fill the 5 gallon barrel or keep sloshing  a smaller amount around to keep the barrel moist?

I usually do either 1 or 2 750mL bottles and just rotate periodically.  I don't dilute, because my purpose is to have something at least 100 proof in there to aid in keeping it sanitized.

[mchrispen]

I usually do either 1 or 2 750mL bottles and just rotate periodically.  I don't dilute, because my purpose is to have something at least 100 proof in there to aid in keeping it sanitized.

This. If you want to drink the bourbon, buy decent stuff that can take a few months of additional oak.

[pete b]

BTW, anyone have mead aged in bourbon barrels, or barrels in general?