by CaptainRedBeard » Fri May 27, 2016 12:28 am
^ :text-+1:
If I was to buy used barrel staves, I wouldn't sand them back. It defeats the purpose of buying used opposed to new. You purposely buy used staves to infuse some of the characteristics of what lingers from the past spirits. Ie: a lot of whiskey manufacturers these days buy used bourbon barrels to (as Bay said) mellow and infuse flavors. Many rum producers use port barrels to get acquired flavor profiles. And most bourbon manufacturers use new charred and toasted oak.
It's one of the more rewarding situations coming across used barrels, you personally get to test it all out :happy-partydance:
If your still unsure, watch some videos on the old YouTube from companies such as Laphroaig, Canadian club, makers Mark etc. They generally steer clear of talking about their stills, but go in depth about the barreling processes and where they aquire their barrels and why.