Whiskey Barrels for Sale – Fresh Dumped Bourbon, Rye & Wine Barrels
Whiskey barrels for sale here are fresh dumped, once-used oak barrels from bourbon and rye distilleries, including Buffalo Trace, Jack Daniel’s, 1792, Willett, Russell’s Reserve and Wilderness Trail. Most are full 53 gallon barrels, with 15 and 30 gallon small formats, 59 gallon port and red wine barrels, and new, never-used white oak barrels in 5 and 53 gallon sizes. Order online for delivery in the US and Canada.
What size whiskey barrel should I buy?
For brewery, cidery or distillery barrel programs, buy a standard 53 gallon barrel: it is the size most bourbon and rye is aged in and gives a slower, more balanced oak influence. Choose a 15 or 30 gallon barrel for smaller batches or faster flavor pickup, and a 5 gallon barrel for home aging.
Barrels in Stock by Size
| Size | Barrels | Wood and char |
|---|---|---|
| 5 gallon | New, never used white oak | American white oak, char options |
| 15 gallon | Far North bourbon, Re:Find whiskey | American white oak, once used |
| 30 gallon | Burnt Church Bluffton whiskey | Charred oak, once used |
| 53 gallon | Buffalo Trace rye, Jack Daniel’s, Hemingway rye, Russell’s Reserve rye, 1792 bourbon, Willett rye, Wilderness Trail bourbon, Starlight concord wine (ex-bourbon), West Virginia Great Barrel (new) | American white oak, mostly heavy char |
| 59 to 60 gallon | Tawny port, red wine | French oak (port); American, French and Hungarian oak (red wine) |
What Does Fresh Dumped Mean?
A fresh dumped barrel was emptied at the distillery and sent on without sitting dry for long, so the staves still hold spirit and char character. Once-used means it aged one batch of whiskey before coming to you. That leftover spirit is what brewers and barrel-agers want: it adds vanilla, caramel, spice and oak to beer, cider, wine, coffee and hot sauce. For the best results, fill a used barrel soon after it arrives.
Bourbon vs. Rye Barrels
Bourbon barrels, such as the 1792 bourbon barrel and the Wilderness Trail bourbon barrel (char #4), lean toward caramel, vanilla and sweet corn notes. Rye barrels, like the Buffalo Trace rye whiskey barrel and the Willett rye barrel, bring more spice and pepper. The Russell’s Reserve rye single barrel is an older barrel, 9 to 11 years, with a heavy alligator char for deep, concentrated flavor. The Jack Daniel’s whiskey barrel carries the character of charcoal-mellowed Tennessee whiskey.
Wine and Port Barrels
Wine barrels are slightly larger, at 59 to 60 gallons. The tawny port barrel is French oak that aged a sweet, nutty dessert wine, a good match for stouts, barleywines and dark spirits. The freshly emptied red wine barrel comes from a Washington winery known for Bordeaux-style blends and Syrah. The Starlight barrel is a double-use cask: it aged bourbon for at least 4 years, then sweet concord wine. Some units have both head and side bungs, others a side bung only.
New, Never-Used Barrels
New barrels give the strongest oak flavor and let you control toast and char. The West Virginia Great Barrel is a 53 gallon barrel of white oak harvested within 200 miles of the cooperage, with your choice of toast and char level from 1 to 4+. For home use, the new 5 gallon white oak barrel suits whiskey, bourbon, wine, cider and beer. New barrels need to be swelled with hot water before filling so the staves seal.
How to Choose a Barrel
- Match the flavor: bourbon for sweetness, rye for spice, port or red wine for fruit and tannin.
- Match the batch: 53 gallon barrels for production runs, 15 to 30 gallon barrels for pilots and quicker aging, 5 gallon for home projects.
- Check the char: heavier char adds more caramelized sugar and smoke; medium char is gentler.
- Plan the fill: used barrels are best filled quickly; new barrels need swelling first.
Uses Beyond Aging
Barrels that have served their aging life also make rain barrels, planters, tables and bar decor. For non-wood storage, see our plastic drums and barrels, steel drums and glass bottles and growlers for packaging your barrel-aged product.
If you need several matching barrels or barrels from a specific distillery, contact us for a quote. Review our returns policy before ordering.
Whiskey Barrel FAQs
How big is a standard whiskey barrel?
A standard bourbon or rye whiskey barrel holds 53 gallons (about 200 liters). Wine barrels are usually a little larger, around 59 to 60 gallons.
Are these barrels used?
Most are once-used, fresh dumped barrels straight from distilleries and wineries. The West Virginia Great Barrel and the 5 gallon white oak barrel are new and have never held spirits.
Do I need to prepare a barrel before filling it?
New barrels must be swelled with hot water before use so the staves seal. Fresh dumped barrels are best filled soon after arrival; if one has dried out, swell it before filling.
What can I age in a whiskey barrel?
Brewers, cider makers, winemakers and distillers use them to age beer, cider, wine and spirits. They are also used for coffee, hot sauce and other flavor projects.
Do you ship whiskey barrels to Canada?
Yes. We ship barrels to customers in the United States and Canada. For multiple barrels, contact us for a quote.
