Whiskey barrels are essential components in the production of whiskey, imbuing it with unique flavors and characteristics essential for its iconic taste. Below is an overview of the importance, crafting, and use of these barrels.
The Craft of Cooperage
Craftsmen who make wooden barrels are called coopers. An oak barrel ranges in price from $900 to $2,000 due to the skill and materials involved in its creation.
Whiskey Aging and Barrel Influence
From color to flavor, the barrel determines key characteristics of a newly bottled whiskey. The barrels used in Tennessee Whiskey production, like those for Jack Daniels, are lightly toasted and charred inside, providing the whiskey with its signature flavor notes.
- Barrel Storage: Most whiskey barrels hold 53 gallons.
- Materials: Made from American white oak known for its leak-resistant properties.
- Reuse: The charred oak wood can be reused because of its sturdy nature.
Around 80% of the whiskey is stored in former bourbon barrels, ex-wine barrels, as well as new barrels made from various oaks. The local climate also plays an important role in ripening the whiskey.
Without these barrels, the whiskey we enjoy today would not exist.