The most common question before a first barrel purchase is also the simplest: what size? Every Oak Barrels, Ltd. aging barrel is the same American white oak build, with a wooden stand, bung, and wooden spigot, in black or galvanized hoops. What changes with size is how much it holds, how fast it ages, and what it costs. Smaller barrels age faster, because more of the liquid touches the wood. Larger barrels age slower and more gently, closer to a commercial cask.
Size at a glance
- 1L: about 1.3 x 750mL bottles, ages in 1 to 2 weeks, $37.95 black / $39.95 galvanized
- 2L: about 2.5 x 750mL bottles, ages in 2 to 4 weeks, $39.95 black / $42.95 galvanized
- 5L: about 6.5 x 750mL bottles, ages in 4 to 6 weeks, $76.95 black / $81.95 galvanized
- 10L: about 13 x 750mL bottles, ages in 2 to 4 months, $125.95 either finish
- 20L: about 26 x 750mL bottles, ages in 4 to 6 months, $203.95 either finish
1L: the first experiment
The 1L barrel is the fastest way to taste what real oak does to a spirit. At about 1.3 bottles and 1 to 2 weeks to a first pour, it suits a first experiment, a single bottle of whiskey or bourbon, or a personalized gift where a small barrel is part of the charm. Dimensions: 6 1/8 inches long, 4 1/2 inch head diameter.
2L: the home bartender's sweet spot
The 2L barrel holds about 2.5 bottles and is ready in 2 to 4 weeks. It is big enough for a real batch of barrel-aged cocktails or a side-by-side experiment, and small enough to keep on a bar cart. Dimensions: 7 1/2 inches long, 5 1/4 inch head diameter.
5L: the most popular size
The 5L barrel is the store's most popular size for a reason. At about 6.5 bottles, it holds a full batch, and the extra volume slows the oak contact just enough to build deeper, rounder flavor in 4 to 6 weeks. Pick this one if you want one barrel to do the most, for whiskey, bourbon, rum, or cocktails. Dimensions: 10 inches long, 7 inch head diameter.
10L: aging in earnest
The 10L barrel holds about 13 bottles and ages over 2 to 4 months, trading the quick oak hit of a small barrel for layered, rounded character. It suits home winemakers, anyone building a small cellar program, or a household that goes through a batch slowly. Dimensions: 12 inches long, 8 3/4 inch head diameter.
20L: the closest to a commercial cask
The 20L barrel holds about 26 bottles, over five gallons, and behaves most like a commercial cask. Four to 6 months of rest gives the slowest, most integrated oak character of any size sold here. It is built for dedicated home agers, small producers, and cider and wine makers working in real batches. Dimensions: 15 1/4 inches long, 12 7/8 inch head diameter. Note: 20L barrels cannot be laser engraved … they are too large for the engraving machine.
How to choose
- Pick 1L if you are trying barrel aging for the first time, or buying a gift.
- Pick 2L if you want cocktail batches and experiments without committing to a large batch.
- Pick 5L if you want the best all-rounder, and the size most home agers land on.
- Pick 10L if you want slower, mellower aging and a bigger batch.
- Pick 20L if you age in real volume and want the closest thing to a commercial cask.
Whatever the size, cure the barrel before first use, fill it right away once cured, and top it off every one to two weeks while it ages … small barrels lose a little liquid to evaporation, and an empty barrel dries out.
Engraving
Laser engraving ($10 per barrel) is available on 1L through 10L barrels in either hoop finish. 20L barrels cannot be engraved.
Shop: 1L oak barrel, 2L oak barrel, 5L oak barrel, 10L oak barrel, 20L oak barrel. Also see how to cure an oak barrel, how long to age whiskey in a small oak barrel, black vs galvanized oak barrel hoops, and engraved oak barrels and corporate gifts.