water and oil, fermenting wine , arrack and sake , and maturing beverages such as wine , cognac , armagnac , sherry , port , whiskey and beer . Contents 1 History 2 Uses 2.1 Beverage maturing 2.1.1 Wine 2.1.2 Whiskey 2.1.3 Sherry 2.1.4 Brandy 2.1.5 Balsamic vinegar 2.1.6 Tabasco sauce