Lighter char levels tend to show more fruit esters and spice notes. The barrel surface is burnt black and showing minimal split in the wood.

Darker char levels will extract more vanilla flavors and color into the spirit. The barrel surface is burnt black and shows a cross hatch pattern with crocodile skin cracking throughout.

Here are some basic points about barrel char levels:

• There are technically 7 levels of charring that can be applied to barrels intended for use in aging spirits. However, No.6 and No.7 levels are rarely used and will usually leave drinks tasting like liquid smoke.
• Char levels are determined by the amount of time flame is applied to the interior of the barrel. Timing determines how much crackling will happen to the interior surface, as well as the amount of sugar and other compounds will be released.
• No.1 Char is 15 seconds.
• No.2 is 30 seconds.
• No.3 (more common) is 35 seconds.
• No.4 Char is 55 seconds. The No.4 Char is also known as the “alligator char,” since after that duration of charring, the interior of the oak wood staves has the rough, shiny texture of alligator skin.
• Char layers tend to be between 1/8 to 1/4” thick.

The post Oak Barrel Char Levels appeared first on Black Water Barrels.

We are gearing up and just about ready to start producing in our Bamberg, South Carolina. We are proud of our first oak barrel, and we know that this is only a preview of what’s to come.

Ready to talk about your business’s barrel needs? Send us an email or call/text 803-312-1343.

The post Produced Our First Oak Barrel appeared first on Black Water Barrels.

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May 16, 2016

Check out our progress as of May 16. These pictures show the outside of the dealership being converted into a showroom, as well as building progress for the manufacturing facility.

The post Our Bamberg Facility is Well Under Way appeared first on Black Water Barrels.