Buying Bourbon Barrels in Bulk: What Distillers Need to Know

The barrel is very important for giving your bourbon its color, flavor, and texture. For a lot of distillers, barrels are more than just places to store things; they also provide flavor. Buying in bulk is a huge choice, whether you’re getting new or used bourbon whiskey barrels. You need to think about the barrels’ type, condition, and supplier. Picking the proper ones will help your spirits stand out in the market. When you are searching to purchase the bourbon barrels, always see that they meet your worth and manufacturing goals.

What makes Bourbon Barrels so Significant?

Bourbon barrels are not just ordinary barrels; they are the ones that give the whiskey its peculiar taste. The barrel is responsible for altering about 60% of the bourbon flavor. American white oak barrels are the benchmark in the business. The quality of the barrel can make or break your rum, whisky, or beer.

What barrels of bourbon whisky have been used?

A barrel of used bourbon whiskey has aged bourbon at least once. Because U.S. law says that bourbon can only be matured in new barrels, these barrels are generally sold after just one usage. But just because the barrel was used once doesn’t imply it has no life left. Used bourbon barrels are still full of taste. Brewers, winemakers, and distillers seek to utilize them to mature other spirits, such as rum and tequila. These barrels are also less expensive than new ones, so they are an excellent choice for trying out new things and ageing items a second time how the choice of barrel affects taste.

The kind of barrel you use will impact how your spirit turns out

The final taste is affected by the wood grain, the quantity of char, and how the wood was used before. For example, a #3 char level makes the color richer and the flavor deeper. A milder roast modifies the taste to a more subtle, oaky taste. Barrels that have good quality bourbon may produce must hard tastes, whereas barrels that are thought to have sweeter mash may give a softer hint. You can guess what kind of flavor your spirit will have if you know the history of the barrel. This is why it’s so important to get a lot of information from suppliers when you buy in bulk.

What to Consider When Purchasing Bourbon Barrels

Avoid used bourbon whiskey barrels with broken heads or loose staves because they can leak or become bad. Before you acquire used bourbon barrels, trustworthy sellers will always give you images and thorough information about the barrels. Can You Taste a Barrel Before You Buy It? If you want to use a barrel for single-barrel bottling, you should try it before you buy it. But this isn’t always achievable when you buy a lot of things. Some suppliers will let you taste samples or give you flavor notes from past fills.

When you buy bourbon barrels for sale to finish a spirit, ask for information about the bourbon that was matured within. Your team can also help you choose the flavor characteristics you desire by having a tasting panel. Even though not every barrel will taste the same, a good provider can make sure that all of them taste the same.

How to Store Bourbon Barrels After They Arrive

You need to preserve your bourbon barrels in the right way to keep them in good shape. When they get to you, you should keep the barrels in a cold, dry, dark place. Avoid direct sunlight and particularly hot temperatures, as these might dry out the wood. Make sure the humidity stays the same, so the staves don’t shrink. Fill old bourbon whiskey barrels again fast to keep the flavor and keep them from getting dirty. If you need to store them for a long time, keep them sealed and upright. Check for leaks before you use it every time. Good storage keeps both your barrels and your spirits safe.

Conclusion

Be cautious when selecting the right bourbon barrels for sale. Purchasing volume might save you time and money, but you need to concentrate on the fine points. For all time, check where the barrels are from, how much char is present, and how well they are produced, if they are new-fangled or old. Get unambiguous and sincere information from the person you acquire the barrels from. Think about how long you want it to last, how long you desire to stock up, and how the taste will change. Your spirit can age wonderfully and create a unique profile with the correct barrels. We suggest working with professionals like Rocky Mountain Barrel Company if you want to buy bourbon barrels that are high-quality and dependable. Artisan and commercial distillers have a large range of old bourbon whiskey barrels and other high-end options.