faq
Q: Where do the barrels come from?
We source our barrels, heads, and other products straight from Kentucky.
Q: Where are the handcrafted products made?
The handcrafted work is done in Mason, Ohio. Our work is currently crafted by a father and son team.
Q: What type of wood is used?
The wood is considered American White Oak that is from Eastern United States and parts of Eastern Canada.
Q: What is a head?
This is the round end on both ends of the barrel. The “money side” has the distillery branding on it and the “non-money side” is normally left unmarked.
Q: What are staves?
Staves are the individual wood pieces that have been cross sectioned to make the circumference of the barrel. Each barrel is made with 31 to 33 staves.
Q: Why does it look like it was burned?
This is called charring. Each barrel and head are burned from the inside with an open flame. This is what helps make the great taste of bourbon.
Q: How much whiskey fits into a barrel?
Each barrel is 52 gallons or 200 liters.
Q: How heavy is an empty barrel?
An empty barrel weighs between 120 pounds and 130 pounds depending on the moisture content.
Q: What is the diameter of the heads?
The heads measure between 21 and 22 inches in diameter.
Q: How often can a distillery use its barrels?
Distilleries can only use the barrels once for aging bourbon. After the bourbon is aged and bottled, the barrels can be used to age a secondary spirit (i.e. Beer, Wine, Tequila) or can be sold us, O’Brien Barrel Works, where we are able to begin creating one of a kind pieces.