I was using new American Oak for rum but awhile back I started using wine barrel staves, the wine that has soaked into the wood makes a subtle difference, not a lot of difference but you can pick a subtle change.
With the whiskey I just made I used new American oak but charred it a lot more tan normal, I have done next to nothing with the whiskey made from grain so I am looking forward to trying a few different things.
It's all about experimenting, I am going to do another run this afternoon and make some more whiskey so I have some more stuff to experiment with :)
Pic of the wine barrel staves ready to split and char.