Whiskey barrel syrup

[Dennis McGill]

I just got a 5 gallon freshly emptied whiskey barrel, and I want to fill it with maple syrup. Should I, do I need to, heat the syrup to a 180 degrees before putting it in the barrel? Or, are there other considerations I need to be thinking about?
Thanks,
Dennis McGill

[maple flats]

I heated mine to 190 before filling the barrel. With a 5 gal barrel you want to open it after aging 3-3.5 months. When you loosen the bung, stand to the side, not right over it, sometimes they will have pressure in them, usually not. I had one hit me in the forehead as I opened it. Initially I was worried the syrup might no longer be good, but it proved to be the same as my other barrels that had no pressure. After 5 weeks I still have a bump I can feel on my forehead but it doesn't hurt. At first when it hit, I thought I was going to go down, but I didn't.
The end result will please all who taste it.

[MapleCamp]

I also heated mine to 190, I did it in June I think . I just took it out as the barrel started to ooze a bit. It had some stuff growing in it but after heating filtering it looks and tastes fine. Dont know that I will do it again but it was fun, and I have to keep it locked up its in high demand. Now what to do with the barrel.

[Pa sapsucker]

How long do you keep syrup in a 10 gallon bourbon barrel?

[Dennis McGill]

Find a home brewer in your area. I've already got guys putting dibs on mine.

[maple flats]

How long do you keep syrup in a 10 gallon bourbon barrel?I still have my 10 gal barrel aging, but I was told that a 10 gal needs 6-7 months, by the friend who got me into this. He's done it for 2-3 years.. I packed mine on 4/28, I plan to check to see if it's ready about 11/1. Should be perfect timing for Christmas sales.

[S.S.S]

I emptied my 15 gal barrel at 4 months. I seemed to lose a little bourbon flavor after I heated it and bottled it but after I opened bottle and sampled it seems to be pretty good flavor. Almost seemed like it gained flavor after sitting in bottle for month or so then from when we bottled it.

[Pa sapsucker]

Thanks Dave. I've got a buddy that buys syrup off of me every year to do this . He wanted me to ask to make sure he's doing it long enough. Do you guys think it's something that I should get into myself ? Is the market very good for bourboun ?

[maple flats]

Too soon to tell from here. Initially I had great response but only from a small handfull of people. I had no bad feedback but sales are now slower than expected.
I'm still thinking it will gain as more people try it. It will likely be a good Christmas time item for gifts and holiday parties.

[maple maniac65]

Being new to this bourbon syrup. I do not have intentions of selling . What does one think of a 5 gallon barrell filled at 190 degrees with an extra fifth of good bourbon added. Packed in June and was going to let sit until Thanksgiving. Good or bad idea.

[amaranth farm]

Radio Silence.

[Super Sapper]

You would probably have to boil it some to get the right density again and then have to filter it. Any alcohol would evaporate even at bottling temps. You might be able to 69 or 70% with the syrup, filter and then dilute it back down to 66.5% with the bourbon and then pack it. When bringing back up to bottling temp. all the alcohol should evaporate.

[Urban Sugarmaker]

I opened my barrel today due to a leak. It is aged 5 months and tastes amazing. 6 months may be better but I now know 5 months is fine too.