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Bourbon - Filling into Barrels

In Kentucky and Missouri companies specialized in the production of barrels from American white oak. For Straight Bourbon Whiskey the barrels may only be used once. They have volumes of approximately 53 American gallons (200.34 litres). In the American surrounding the term barrel is very often used instead of cask. For a barrel there are different definitions. The most famous barrel is the petroleum barrel with 158,97 litres of volume. The normal American barrel however contains 31.5 gallons = 119.23 litres. 1 gallon corresponds to 3.785 litres.

Barrel staves from white oak

The staves of the barrels are first joined but not yet completely closed. Then the staves are made supple with superheated steam and thus can be bent into their oval form.

Jim Beam - Bending of the staves

The next step however is different and gives the Kentucky Straight Bourbon its special taste. The barrels are held, on one side still open, over a smal fire. This procedure is called ‘toasting’ and leads to the wood sugar in the staves being caramelised. This reddish layer is later also visible when cutting a stave. The toasting procedure lasts about 12 min.

Jim Beam - Burning the barrels

After the toasting procedure the barrel is submitted to a still stronger fire treatment. It is burned out from the inside with large flames for 6 to 12 s. The barrel thus receives a thick charcoal layer on the inside.

Wild Turkey - Barrel Filling

After the filling the barrel is closed with a 'Bung' and brought by truck into the warehouses.

Wild Turkey - Closing the Barrels

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