20 Liter Oak Barrel — American White Oak Aging Barrel for Whiskey & Wine

Our largest barrel for home aging. The 20 liter oak barrel holds about 26 standard 750mL bottles — over five gallons — and behaves most like a commercial cask: four to six months of rest gives whiskey, bourbon, or wine the slowest, most integrated oak character of any size we sell. Built for dedicated home agers, small producers, and cider and wine makers working in real batches.

Handcrafted from American white oak, each barrel arrives complete with a wooden stand, bung, and wooden spigot. Choose black steel hoops for a rustic look or galvanized steel hoops for a cleaner finish.

Specs — 20 Liter (5.28 gallons)
Length: 15 1/4" · Head diameter: 12 7/8"
Capacity: about 26 × 750mL bottles
Typical aging time: 4–6 months

How to cure your barrel before first use

Every new oak barrel needs a quick cure so the wood swells and seals itself:

1. Fill the barrel completely with hot water.
2. Let it stand 24–48 hours while the staves swell. Small drips in the first hours are normal and stop as the wood expands.
3. Check for leaks. If a slow drip remains after 48 hours, refill and give it another day.
4. Drain and rinse with clean water.
5. Fill with your spirit or cocktail right away — never leave a cured barrel sitting empty, or the wood will dry and shrink.

Aging tip: small barrels lose a little liquid to evaporation (the “angel’s share”), so top your barrel off every one to two weeks and store it somewhere with natural day-to-night temperature swings — that movement pushes the liquid in and out of the wood and builds flavor faster.

Helpful guides

New to barrel aging? These step-by-step guides walk you through it:
How to Cure an Oak Barrel Before First Use
How to Make a Barrel-Aged Old Fashioned