The Barrel Mill Blog

There are very few specialties that can be categorized as scientific, artistic, and part of the trade industry. The work of a cooper is all of those things and more. Coopers have a long and rich history dating back to around 300 BC. It’s hard to fully trace barrel making history because many of the… Read more »

As the whiskey making process streamlines and science and innovation replace time-old tradition, it will become easier and more profitable for companies to have a little fun with the flavors of whiskey. When it doesn’t take decades to age a quality whiskey, you can play with flavors and themes without taking time and energy away… Read more »

There’s a reason that whiskey is the Gaelic word for “water of life.” There’s just something refreshing about a good whiskey on a warm day. Whiskey in all of its forms: bourbon, rye, scotch, Irish, Canadian, and Japanese, has the ability to be just as great for warm weather as it is for cold. Whether… Read more »

To whiskey novices, the entire process can feel a bit elitist and overwhelming. From understanding the differences to knowing what or how to order—it can certainly turn people off of whiskey altogether. Even though whiskey is one of the most popular spirits out there and only continues to gain popularity, people still have their reservations.… Read more »

Enjoying a dram of whiskey can be a tad confusing if you’re not familiar with the jargon surrounding this tasty spirit. We’ve talked about the difference between whiskey, whisky, scotch, and bourbon, but that’s really just the beginning of whiskey terms you probably want to know. A common whiskey-related question people ask is the difference… Read more »

Small oak barrels are a great way to age spirits like whiskey, run, and tequila, quickly. This is because the smaller barrels expose a greater surface area per volume of liquid to wood. The longest step in the aging process is maturation, if that process can be shortened without losing flavor, then a producer could… Read more »

If you’re a country music fan, you probably already know that whiskey makes Luke Bryan’s “baby, feel a little frisky.” You’ve probably also noticed that people are talking about whiskey a lot more than they have in the past. That’s because whiskey is the new home brew. Remember about 6-10 years ago when everyone and… Read more »