barrels coating

[ivfitter638]

Hello to all !
I just got my new barrels. Tanks Clay! I'm wondering what kind of
coating used on them? Friend of mine who has more experience in aging
liquor in the oak barrels said : " if it coated with lacquer - remove
it and polish it with candle wax"
Should I really scrape it off?

[Clay, Johnston]

My finished new barrels are tested with water, they leak a little
until the wood swells against the metal hoops, leaking water with
charring from inside stains the outside of the barrel, to prevent the
staining we apply a coat of lacquer. The lacquer may prevent air
exchange which is desirable when aging spirits over several years in
larger barrels, when it is done right it makes the contents thicker
and richer tasting but in small barrels the spirits cannot be left in
the barrel long enough for air exchange to take place, they would
impart too much color and flavor; five or six months is too long to
stay in the 50 liter and smaller barrels, at least until it has been
used several years and doesn’t have much flavor and color left. The
barrels can be ordered without lacquer but it does not come off in the
spirits neither does it affect the taste. Just before the barrels are
shipped the water is poured out, when received they need to be filled
with water to be sure they are still watertight, they may leak a
little until the wood is rehydrated and swells against the metal
hoops. The same goes for coating with wax, it would prevent air
exchange through the wood pores. The best way is without any kind of
coating, but it will get stained and foul looking very quick, that
doesn’t hurt anything but turns off some people new to barrels.