real water "skins" -- anybody ever tried one?

Didn't they used to use stomaches or bladders or something? How did they keep them from leaking? Does leather impart a taste?

Never tried a "water skin", but I have used a wine skin in the past. A lot of botas have plastic liners, but yes, there are some made of leather or innards of certain beasts. The leather tends to absorb the wine over time, so all the wine starts tasting the same after a few uses. They are good only for really cheap wines where the taste doesn't matter anyway. Don't put your vintage $500/bottle good stuff in one.

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