Curing the Cask

The cask was full of water for about four days. I have emptied it and I am curing it with brandy. I am using E&J V.S.O.P. Select Reserve. I did not completely fill it, so I will rotate it every so often about a quarter of a turn. Next Friday or Saturday I will take the brandy out and fill it with the tawny port. It is a very cheap port. I think Boone's Farm was more expensive. I will add a little red wine, a touch of brandy and a touch of bourbon. For the brandy, I will use some that was removed from the cask. For the red wine, I don't know what I will use. For the bourbon, I will use Evan Williams Single Barrel. I will let this sit for about a week and then taste it. I am excited to see how it comes out. The port is so cheap that if it does not come out very good I am not out much of anything. I will give it at least three weeks before I make a final determination.

The Cask Have Arrived!

01-27-09, As I mentioned on the other pages here, the cask have arrived. You can see pictures on the Backroom Bourbon page. They are full of water and will sit for at least three days if not more. I am willing to go five to be sure we have a good seal. I have not purchased the Port, but have really been thinking about it. I am going to cure the cask with some spirit before I introduce the Port into it. Stay tuned.

Waiting on the Cask to Arrive

01-01-09, I am waiting on my cask to arrive so I can begin this adventure into maturing port wine in an oak cask. Stay tuned for the start of an adventure.