Have we stepped onto the set of the next sci-fi blockbuster?
Thankfully, it’s not that serious. What we’re looking at is an inverted, wood-sugar “stalactite” that’s formed on the underside of one of our whiskey barrels. As we emptied the barrel’s contents, the strength and oddness of the stalactite stood out to us–we had to snap a pic.
So where does a stalactite like this come from?
Hard and crusty like candy, the stalactite consists of wood sugars that have slowly chased the aging whiskey out of a tiny leak in the barrel. The leak is so slight and gradual that first the alcohol, then the water in the whiskey have time to evaporate before the remaining ooze completes its gravity-driven path to the ground. Over time, the residue left behind hardens into a stiff crust.
While any leak in a barrel is potentially disastrous because of the loss of precious liquid, smaller leaks like the one pictured aren’t as concerning because they often seal themselves.
It’s common to find a similar sealing crust forming into dark stains of varying shapes and sizes anywhere on a barrel. However, if the leak location and size is right, you’ll get stalactites like this one.
If you’re wondering what foolishness on our part could be responsible for such leaks, please keep in mind that barrel leaks are common. At some larger distilleries who might have thousands of barrels, it can even be an entire vocation to locate and mitigate leaks.
Most whiskey barrels are handmade, deviate slightly from one another, and evolve over the years just as the whiskey inside them does. Just like us, with time, aging whiskey barrels change a little in shape, dry out a little, and need a little TLC. Addressing minor leaks is simply part of the distilling game.
Fortunately, if a leak is minor enough that stalactites form, it’s unlikely to significantly affect the volume or flavor of the whiskey. Instead, these leaks provide fun fodder for conversations–and blog posts!
