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French oak vs American oak

PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:55 pm
by Plumby
Hi everybody,
My question is why does French oak colour quicker than American oak. After making my cuts on my ujsm spirit run yesterday I put 4.5 litres at 65% on 40 grams of French oak and 2 litres on 20 grams of American oak, the French has taken colour on already but the American is still white. Why is this, has anybody experienced the same thing?

Re: French oak vs American oak

PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:00 pm
by bluc
Yes french always colours quicker for me to. Also gives it an awesome red colour..

Re: French oak vs American oak

PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:04 pm
by Plumby
I was blown away when I checked this arvo, beautiful dark red/amber colour on the French, checked the American still crystal clear.

Re: French oak vs American oak

PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:05 pm
by bluc
I found I like a combination of the two rather than one or the other..

Re: French oak vs American oak

PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:11 pm
by Plumby
I had planed to do both then do a bit of blending, try to find something nice. I was given the American oak as a gift and its heavy toast and char, being so dark I thought it would colour fast but it took ages last time I used it

Re: French oak vs American oak

PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:34 pm
by bluc
My rum I age in american oak barrel then put it in a jar with french oak for extra colour and flavour. I find french gives it something american alone lacks. Will grab a french barrel when I can :D

Re: French oak vs American oak

PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:52 pm
by Plumby
Screenshot_20171113-175058.png

Not the best picture, you get the idea though.

Re: French oak vs American oak

PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:29 pm
by bluc
Yep thats the red colour looks delicious :mrgreen:

Re: French oak vs American oak

PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 8:21 pm
by Plumby
bluc wrote:Yep thats the red colour looks delicious :mrgreen:

Smells good already too :D

Re: French oak vs American oak

PostPosted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 4:03 pm
by Stonemaker1
Plumby wrote:I had planed to do both then do a bit of blending, try to find something nice. I was given the American oak as a gift and its heavy toast and char, being so dark I thought it would colour fast but it took ages last time I used it


I thought the same thing about alligator charr and thought it would colour the quickest but in fact it’s the complete opposite.
I think the grain in French oak is more loose and not as tight as American oak that’s why it colours more quickly. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Re: French oak vs American oak

PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 10:33 pm
by Pauder
American oak medium toast seems to work well

Re: French oak vs American oak

PostPosted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 1:41 am
by JayTee
Hi - A newbie question I'm afraid. I'm about to have my first go at french oaking a batch of rum. I wasn't sure if you guys tend to use the staves "as is" or do you specifically "char" them over a gas flame first? Thanks in advance :smile:

Re: French oak vs American oak

PostPosted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 5:17 am
by JayTee
Just got the answer no for rum - so that's good :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Re: French oak vs American oak

PostPosted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 7:13 am
by woodduck
Make sure their toasted though. I'm not sure raw oak would be real nice. :handgestures-thumbupleft: