Menu
 

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details

Best Whiskey Barrels

Updated September 2021
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
American Oak Barrel Personalized American Oak Aging Barrel
American Oak Barrel
Personalized American Oak Aging Barrel
Check Price
Bottom Line

An overall excellent barrel that comes in several sizes and can be customized.

Pros

Comes in several sizes, from 1 liter to 5 liters. Handcrafted from American white oak, with a medium toast char on the inside to enhance aging. Add your text to personalize it. Nice craftsmanship. Most report that this option doesn't leak. Good gift idea.

Cons

Some point to quality issues with this barrel that include poor engraving, faulty plug gaskets, and overall leaking problems.

Best Bang for the Buck
Golden Oak Barrel Whiskey Oak Barrel
Golden Oak Barrel
Whiskey Oak Barrel
Check Price
Bottom Line

This affordable option gives you a wide variety of options in terms of barrel size and look.

Pros

Your choice of several sizes, 1 liter to 5 liters, as well as several different hoop types such as black steel and silver. Barrel comes with a wooden stand, bung, cork, barrel wax, paper funnel, and instructions. High-quality. Easy to use. Links to a 30-page recipe booklet on their website. Good price.

Cons

Some buyers point to durability issues in the form of leaks and cracks that develop over several months. Reports of this option having a strong chemical/adhesive smell.

Red Head Barrels Engraved 2 Liter Charred American White Oak Aging Barrel
Red Head Barrels
Engraved 2 Liter Charred American White Oak Aging Barrel
Check Price
Bottom Line

This barrel stands out due to the fact that it can "hold its liquor" and not leak.

Pros

Choice of engravings. Comes with a stand, bung, spigot, paper funnels, and instructions. Well made, with no reports of leaks. Decorative.

Cons

Some buyers found this barrel to be smaller than they expected.

Sofia's Findings Personalized American White Oak Aging Barrel
Sofia's Findings
Personalized American White Oak Aging Barrel
Check Price
Bottom Line

Buyers love the workmanship and customization of this option, but you should definitely check it for quality issues right out of the box.

Pros

Available in a number of sizes, all the way up to 20 liters. Handcrafted of American white oak, black steel hoops, and a medium charred interior. Customize it with your own text or logo. Good workmanship. Easy to prep and get it up and running. Comes with a stand.

Cons

Some reports of leaking after a few months. Poor quality in some of these result in cracked or leaking spigots and a crooked stand.

Deep South Barrels American White Oak Barrel Whiskey Kit
Deep South Barrels
American White Oak Barrel Whiskey Kit
Check Price
Bottom Line

Offers a nice decorative look and good aged flavor, although some had trouble getting this barrel to seal correctly.

Pros

Available in a 1, 2 or 3 liter size. Kit includes a bung, spigot, barrel stand, instructions, and two bottles of Highland Malt Scotch Whiskey essence. Handcrafted from American white oak with black steel bands. Has a classic barrel look, and ages spirits well.

Cons

Pricier than other models. Some buyers report problems with trying to seal it (leaking).

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
189
Consumers
Consulted
8
Hours
Researched
Category cover

Buying guide for best whiskey barrels

Any whiskey connoisseur knows that the aged stuff is always better, but it sure can be expensive. With your own whiskey barrel, you can age the cheaper whiskey into a sip-worthy liquor.

If you're new to the art of whiskey aging or you're buying a whiskey barrel as a gift, deciding which one to buy can seem a bit confusing. It's tough to know where to start, especially when you're not sure what makes a good whiskey barrel.

To help you out, we at BestReviews have selflessly sipped the spirits to find the best whiskey barrels on the market, and our shopping guide will tell you what you need to know.

Content Image
You can find whiskey barrels with a range of stains and finishes, so you should be able to find something that will match your décor.

Whiskey barrel features to consider

Simply put, using a whiskey barrel will make your liquor taste better. The finest oak-aged whiskey is quite similar to the cheaper whiskey when it goes into the barrel, but it's something special when it comes out. Rather than shelling out the big bucks for top-shelf whiskey, you can choose a cheaper bottle and age it yourself in a whiskey barrel. Here are some of the things to look for as you shop.

Material

The vast majority of whiskey barrels are made from oak because it's generally considered to give the best flavor to aged liquor. In fact, some types of whiskey – namely Scotch and bourbon – can only be sold as such if they've been aged in oak. That said, you can find some whiskey barrels made from other woods, including hickory and maple, but they're not as readily available.

Wood origin

American white oak is the superior choice for oak whiskey barrels and is generally what high-end options are crafted from. However, many barrels are simply made from generic oak. You might prefer American oak, not only for the flavor but also to reduce your carbon footprint when compared to oak that's shipped from overseas.

Hardware

Whiskey barrels have metal bands around the circumference holding the staves together. This hardware can come in many finishes, from bright bronze to cast iron black. The finish on the hardware doesn't affect the performance of the barrel, but it does change the look somewhat. Which color hardware you prefer is a personal choice, so take a look at a range of options and see what catches your eye.

Size

You'll find whiskey barrels ranging in size from one liter (which holds about a fifth) up to 20 liters (which holds approximately five and one-quarter gallons). Most people opt for smaller barrels for home use because they take up less space. However, we wouldn't generally recommend anything smaller than two liters because a one-liter whiskey barrel won't even produce a full bottle of whiskey once it's aged and you've factored in some loss of liquid due to evaporation.

Personalization

Some manufacturers offer to personalize their products by either printing, engraving, or laser etching the whiskey barrels. This is an excellent idea if you're buying a barrel as a gift, although that's not to say you wouldn't want one personalized for your own use. Personalized whiskey barrels are also ideal for marking special occasions, such as weddings, anniversaries, or landmark birthdays. If you do choose a personalized option, check to see the extent of personalization offered. Some companies will only add one or two names to the barrel, while others will write any message you choose up to a certain character limit.

Content Image
Expert Tip
If you'd like to distill your own whiskey, you'll need a "distilled spirits" permit.
STAFF
BestReviews

How to age whiskey in a barrel

Once you've bought your whiskey barrel, you need to know what to do with it. Although you might want to look up more detailed instructions, here are the basics.

  1. Cure your whiskey barrel. All barrels must be cured before using or they'll leak. To do this, fill your barrel with water, put the bung in the top, and leave it someplace where it doesn't matter if it leaks. Keep topping it up with water until it stops leaking. This usually takes 24 to 72 hours.

  2. Wash your barrel. Before you put anything alcoholic inside your barrel, rinse it out a few times with hot water until the water that comes out is completely clear.

  3. Add your spirits. You can either further age a regular whiskey to improve the flavor and smoothness or start with a white, unaged whiskey to age it yourself.

  4. Wait. Only time spent in a barrel can age your whiskey, so now you just need to wait for it to be ready. The larger the barrel, the longer it takes. Everyone likes different flavors in their whiskey, so it's hard to tell you exactly how long to age it, but to get the equivalent of one year's worth of aging takes around 80 days in a two-liter barrel and 175 days in a 20-liter barrel.

  5. Decant your whiskey. Once the aging process is complete, empty the contents of the barrel into a bottle or decanter and enjoy. We'd recommend doing this through a strainer to catch any particles of wood. If you leave it in the barrel, the flavor will keep developing, which isn't ideal if you've already got it just how you want it.

  6. Refill the barrel. It's best to start aging your next batch of whiskey right away. If you leave the barrel empty for too long, it will dry out and you'll need to repeat the curing process.
"The first few times you use your new whiskey barrel, start tasting the whiskey after around two weeks. With a new barrel, it's easy to over-oak your whiskey, but it will mellow after two or three uses."
STAFF
BestReviews

Whiskey barrel prices

The price of whiskey barrels varies depending on the size, overall quality of materials and craftsmanship, and any extras you get. You can expect to pay between about $30 and $200 for one barrel.

Basic one- to two-liter barrels with no extras start at around $30 to $50, while 20-liter whiskey barrels made with American white oak can cost up to $200.

Tips

  • Whiskey barrels are for more than just whiskey. You can age other spirits or wine in a whiskey barrel, and some people use them to age hot sauce and vinegars.

  • Consider using essences. For a slightly different approach to aging whiskey, try using essences. You add these essences to a neutral alcohol (such as vodka) in your barrel and, depending on the essence, end up with a product that tastes like Scotch, Irish whiskey, bourbon, or any other whiskey of your choosing.

  • Check whether your chosen barrel comes with any extras. Some come with funnels, filters, essences, manuals, and other extras that you might find useful.

  • Top off your barrel. Due to the effects of evaporation, you'll end up with less whiskey than you put in. However, you can top off the barrel every couple of weeks.
Content Image
Many whiskey barrels come with a stand, making them easier to store on their side.

FAQ

Q. Why does aged whiskey taste better?

A. The color and flavor of aged whiskey is very different from that of unaged whiskey. Why is this? When whiskey sits in a barrel, it absorbs some of the compounds from the wood, such as vanillin and tannins, which enhance the flavor. The wood also absorbs some of the impurities in the whiskey, leaving it with a smoother taste.

Q. Can I reuse my whiskey barrel?

A. Yes, you can reuse your whiskey barrel many times. In fact, slightly older barrels are less likely to over-oak your whiskey and can impart subtle flavors from other batches aged in it in the past. Assuming you take proper care of it, a high-quality whisky barrel can last up to ten years.

Q. What is the "angel's share”?

A. If you've been doing your research into home aging, you might have heard the term "angel's share" and wondered what it is. When you age whiskey in barrels, some of it evaporates, which leaves you with less than you started with. The longer you age it, the more you lose. This portion of evaporated whiskey is referred to as the angel's share. We're not suggesting that angels really took it, but it's good to learn the lingo.

Q. Do I need to clean my whiskey barrel?

A. Alcohol is a natural disinfectant, so there's little chance of harmful bacteria growing. The only worry is that the flavor (which is absorbed into the wood) will affect your next batch. If you're only aging whiskey (or using the same type of spirit each time), there's no need to clean your barrel between uses. However, if you're experimenting with aging various liquors, you can buy specialist cleaning solutions that will get your barrel clean without leaving behind harmful or bad-tasting residue.

BestReviews wants to be better. Please take our 3-minute survey,
and give us feedback about your visit today.

Take Survey