Any whisky (or whiskey) enthusiast will tell you: half the magic happens in the barrel. Bourbon barrels, made from American oak and only used once, can absorb up to eight gallons of the spirit in their staves. Since Bourbon requires fresh barrels, used ones typically get sold to other distilleries and go on to hold Scotch or cognac.
Since the world isn’t a terrible place, you can also buy a bundle of bourbon barrel wood ($14) for your grill or smoker. Oak is already a great type of wood for grilling and smoking; it imparts a mild but nutty flavour that works well with all types of meats, though especially beef. The bourbon will add a sweetness to the smoke; drinking bourbon while you’re watching the smoker will improve things too. Just trust us.
