Coopers craft wooden barrels. The word likely derives from the Latin "cupa," meaning vat. Their work enabled trade and daily life and was essential to early New England commerce. Most wine barrel wood comes from two countries: the U.S. and France. Due to climate differences, American and French oak trees grow differently. American oak has a wide grain, while French oak grows tighter.
Our Louisville location allows access to fresh, once-used bourbon barrels at good prices. Kentucky Cooperage makes Lebanon the "Bourbon Barrel-Makin’ Capital". In 2010, we started a Kentucky office. Though shipping globally, many casks stay in America. They provide key ingredients in Kentucky’s bourbon industry. We now offer bourbon barrel products for decor, crafts, cooking, and gifts.
Willett Distillery makes bourbon and rye whiskey. The company has bottled whiskeys aged from two to 28 years. In 1876, Willett sold his interest, and the resulting company became the Mattingly Moore Distillery. It was important to brands like Tom Moore and Barton.
The Kentucky Distillers’ Association created the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 1999. The trail maps signature distilleries and offers a passport. If planning a bourbon pilgrimage, here are must-see distilleries. Some are sustained, some have had a renaissance, some are new, but all own pieces of American history.
The Brown family settled in Kentucky in 1792. Daniel Weller arrived in 1794. In 1789, Elijah Craig opened a Georgetown distillery. He is considered the Father of Bourbon.