I have done a few rum runs as per Mac's recipe, diluted to 65% and put into oak barrels with a few raisins. I have a small 16l barrel from winexstorage in Ozzie Park, Perth. Rum has been in the barrel for about two months now. Drew off a shot over the weekend and the first bit that came through the tap had a dark discolouration to it. It cleared up pretty quick though and I discarded the dark bit. Taste and smell of the non-discoloured stuff was fine. Wasn't game to taste the black shit though! Tap is brass and feels like it has a washer in it. Could it be degeneration of the washer?
Views appreciated.
Fish