You and I are kindred spirits. I recently picked up a 1.5 liter oak barrel off of EBay for $30. I kept sherry in it for 6 weeks- turning the barrel once a week. I now am making a giant batch of Manhattans. I used Evan Williams Green, Carpano Arturia vermouth, and Angostura bitters. I am going to age them for 6 weeks and am hoping the cocktails will pick up on the oak and sherry. I got the idea from an article in the NYT last Summer. Rather than pay $14 for a designer Manhattan at the St. Regis, I am going to make them at home. As far as accompaning tunes for the libations, I recommend the Allman Brothers Live From Jazzfest 2010 cd, Chuck Leavell's new blues disc, and Kevn Kinney's latest.