What other cask sizes are used for whiskey? Most US standard barrels are made from American white oak or European oak. They also have what many distillers consider to be the optimum liquid to cask surface area ratio for aging whiskey. This new shape also fit racks that were designed for 48 gallon barrels, which meant distilleries wouldn’t have to build new racks.ĭistilleries kept using these 53 gallon barrels after the war because they held more liquor, were relatively easy to handle, retained their structural integrity and did not leak. This new shape used a small amount of additional timber, but it held an extra 5 gallons - saving valuable resources needed for the war effort. They changed the shape of the barrel slightly, so it could hold 53 gallons. When the war arrived, resources became scarce.ĭistillery owners had to reduce the amount of timber they were using to produce their whiskey. Racks in most distilleries were designed to handle 48 gallon barrels. Beverage and food producers found this size easy to handle and roll around the factory floor. They are still often used to transport spirits today but are less commonly used for other types of cargo.īefore WWII, the standard size of a barrel was 48 gallons. They would be used to carry everything from beer to molasses and grains on ships crossing every ocean on the planet.īarrels were useful because they were easy to make, watertight, stackable, and could be rolled when placed on their side. Why is it so?īarrels used to be a crucial part of international commerce. Interestingly, nearly all distilleries have settled on barrels that hold 53 gallons. However, when it comes to the size of barrels, there are no regulations in most countries.
Tennessee Bourbon whiskey, for example, must be made in Tennessee using a mash that is at least 51% corn, then aged in charred new barrels. There are many legal regulations relating to whiskey production. This article will explain why the US standard barrel has become the most common barrel size amongst whiskey producers. One common tradition amongst whiskey producers is to use whiskey barrels that hold 53 gallons (200 liters), which is called the US standard barrel. Other traditions are tied to regulations that must be followed to make a whiskey of a certain style. Some of these traditions have come from techniques that distillers have developed over the years which help them produce a finer whiskey. There are many traditions in the world of whiskey.
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