I don't understand why anyone would use an expensive bottle of whiskey to prime a bbl. You will pick up some very raw wood flavors from a new bbl and it essentially ruins the whiskey (doesn't make it better). I really like Very Old Bartons. It's about $25 a handle and is actually a pretty damn nice whiskey for the price. Just don't let that secret get out there lest they raise the price.
I agree with Major on this 100%. Even though he turned up his nose the first time I mentioned VOB.
I made a terrible assumption based on a biased opinion. But back then I was using VOB to recharge some whiskey barrel kegs. I thought it was rot Gut crap base don the price. Thankfully most folks still do!
pete b: I won't go into detail but I know a thing or two about whiskey making and whiskey that comes out of barrels after only a few months has a very bad wood flavor. OTOH everyones taste is different so you may be fine but I think you will find a "green" wood flavor is imparted that you will not enjoy.
I appreciate the honest advice, Keith. So basically with new barrels they impart a bad flavor early on but after several years that flavor goes away/changes?
So far my whiskey doesn't have that flavor. Should I just take it out now and put the next thing in (mead)? Will the next thing get that bad flavor?
Is a new wooden cask pretty much useless to anyone but a distiller?