Method for conditioning wood barrels

The process according to any one of the preceding claims, the process comprising heating the barrel in step (a) with fire, steam and/or water.

The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in step (a) the internal barrel temperature is from about 150° C. to about 200° C. or from about 160° C. to about 190° C. or from about 160° C. to about 180° C.

The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in steps (b) and (c) the internal barrel temperature is from about 150° C. to about 200° C. or from about 160° C. to about 190° C. or from about 160° C. to about 180° C.

The process according to any one of the preceding claims, the process comprising spraying the additive onto the internal surface of the wood barrel in step (b).

The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in step (c) the internal pressure of the wood barrel is from about 15 psi to about 40 psi or from about 20 psi to about 30 psi.

The process according to any one of the preceding claims, the process comprising maintaining the pressurised environment for up to about five minutes or for up to about ten minutes in step (c).

The process according to any one of the preceding claims, the process comprising performing step (d) subjecting the wood barrel to further heating.

The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid additive is a liquid additive.

The process according to any one of the preceding claims, the process comprising a liquid additive and further comprising heating the liquid additive prior to contacting the heated internal surface of the wood barrel in step (b).

The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrel is comprised of oak.

The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrel is comprised of virgin wood.

The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrel has previously been used for wine or alcoholic distillate production.

The process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrel has not previously been used for fortified wine production.

A process for wood barrel conditioning, the process comprising:

• (i) providing a bladder and a liquid additive within the interior of a wood barrel for a predetermined time to facilitate absorbing the additive into the wood, wherein the bladder reduces the interior volume of the wood barrel such that the liquid additive is in contact with the internal surface of the barrel.