Top 16 Weird But Interesting Facts About Barrels

Oak barrels, for almost all of recorded history, have been used for making wine and also for transporting it. Barrels made of wood have been used from the time of the Romans. When the Romans invaded Gaul, they found the oak barrel being used.

They found that the oak wood barrel could be easily made since the wood was easier to bend. Another reason was that oak was plentifully found in the forests, making it the ideal choice of material.

They then found that aging made the taste of wine better. The wine became softer and additional flavors could also be imparted. Soon they discovered that used wine barrels would make the wine age well. The more time they kept it in an oak barrel, the greater the wine quality would be.

We have some interesting and even weird facts about oak barrels. These facts will help you find out more about oak barrels, which will help you if you want to get into oak barrel aging.

16 Facts about Barrels

1. It is the preferred mode for aging

For the aging of wine, the oak wood barrel is most preferred. Whether it is used wine barrels, used bourbon barrels, or used whiskey barrels, you will find that oak barrels are preferred.

2. There is a reason for the barrel shapes

You may have wondered why the oak barrels are shaped in the way that they are. There is a reason for that. The shape is convenient to roll the barrel, making it easy while transporting. At the same time, the shape is convenient even to store it upright and pack it in, making storage of dozens or even hundreds of barrels practical.

3. Do you know who a cooper is?

If you need an oak barrel, you need to purchase it from a maker. The person who makes these barrels is known as a cooper. Some of the barrel makers even use ‘cooper’ as their surname.

4. Do you know why people started using barrels?

When the Roman armies set out on conquests, they needed wine to be taken with them. During Roman times, they stored wine in amphorae made from clay or other types of pots. The amphorae would break easily, causing wastage. The wine then began to get wasted. To solve this problem, oak barrels were used as wine barrels since they were easy to transport.

5. Oak introduces vanilla in the wine

When oak is used to make the barrel, it adds vanillin over time, along with many other substances. All these help to add a unique, delightful flavor to the wine. This is one of the many reasons why the oak barrel is preferred.

6. Charring is the toasting of barrels

If the wood has to interact better with the contents in the barrel, then it has to be charred. Charring is also known as toasting and done to the inside of the barrel. The char levels change the taste, and this happens based on the temperature and char duration.

7. Charring and Bourbon

For bourbon lovers, charring is important. The bourbon barrel char levels are from level 1 to level 4, depending on how many seconds the barrels are charred. The char levels for bourbon barrels bring unique tastes into the bourbon. Each level adds a unique taste. The bourbon barrel char actually changes the oak itself. This creates a reaction between the bourbon and the wood, causing the taste change. This holds good even for whiskey.

Are you looking to purchase used bourbon barrels for brewing something unique? Call us.

8. It takes 80 years for the oak to be ready to be harvested

Oak grown in the Americans take 80 years of growth before it is ready to harvest. If European oak is needed, the trees as many as 120 years to grow.

9. American trees are more economical

American trees are more economical for sourcing wood to make an oak barrel. French trees need 120 years to grow but yield only two barrels. American oak is two times as efficient and is thus preferred as the oak wood barrel.

10. Smaller barrels age faster

An oak barrel that is smaller in size ages faster than larger ones. The reason is the higher ratio of surface area to volume. If you want to age a barrel at home, use a smaller oak barrel. It creates a quicker effect in a few months as compared to the years taken for large barrels.

11. Barrels give up angels share

Barrels are made watertight, but there is always some loss due to evaporation. This happens during the aging process. The lost part is known as ‘angels share’ – the belief being that a part is given away to angels.

12. You can reuse them

You cannot use the oak barrel forever. There would be a time when you need to stop using them. Don’t worry! The oak will not be wasted. You don’t need to throw away the wood. You can upcycle it for different uses. The wood can be used to fire up a wood-fired oven. It can even be reused to make furniture.

13. Did you know barrels were used for warfare?

The Romans used the wood barrel to transport wine. Julius Caesar put it to another use. He would fill the barrel with tar and then set it on fire. They would then fire it over the city walls during a siege. Caesar thus converted the barrels into tools for use in war.

14. There are other uses too

You can use the oak barrel for other purposes too. Apart from storing wine and whiskey, they were also used to store gunpowder, honey, meat, and paint. Even today, there are products like balsamic vinegar and certain specialty Tequila stored in oak barrels.

Whatever you may want to use them for, our used whiskey barrels are ready for aging.

15. Barrels have bungholes

An interesting fact about the oak barrel is that it does not have a lid. Instead, there is a small hole on one side. The hole is known as a bunghole. A stopper known as the bung is used to prevent the contents from flowing out. The bung is made mostly from silicone.

16. The best wines use oak aging

A study took a look at the most expensive wines made in the world. Almost all these wines made use of the oak barrel to enhance their flavor and taste.

At Rocky Mountain Barrel Company, we are constantly pushing to find fresh ways to serve our customers. Not only do we acquire and sell premium spirit or wine barrels, but we are also on a constant lookout for new flavors to enhance your work. Get in touch with us to know more about the wood barrel.