We are living in an unprecedented time when it comes to the variety and innovation of the distilled drinks sector – much of it started with the craft sector, but now the big players have joined the party, offering all sorts of exotic flavour options to more traditional spirits. As a result we have seen…

The rules governing whisky production round the world are generally pretty byzantine and the regulations regarding what kind of barrels can be used in different countries is just one example. Here we will look at some of the rules and traditions regarding used barrels for whisky production. In some countries (Ireland and Scotland for example)…

Fairtransport transports goods from one side of the Atlantic to the other using ancient sailing boats, so that brands that wish to minimise their carbon footprint can use their services. We have been delighted to supply Fairtransport over the years with used madeira barrels, which they use to make their Tres Hombres rum (made in…

Using oak barrels for ageing either spirits or wine is all about adding flavours from the wood and modulating existing flavours in the liquid. Using heat on the inside of the barrel will help to mellow the tanins naturally occurring in the wood and add spicy or vanilla notes that raw oak cannot impart. There…

New wine barrels cost a lot of money – high quality oak is in restricted supply and high demand and coopering a barrel is a highly skilled and time-consuming operation. So we have available a lower cost option available for clients who are looking for new barrel characteristics (so no flavours coming from the barrel…

Our used port wine barrels all start their lives as either 225 or 500 litre barrels, but we get a lot of requests for smaller barrels from distillers who are looking to age their spirits faster. So we do the work of cutting the barrels down to size, which means we have to cut the…

We have a range of oak chips and alternatives available in both French and American oak, with various toast options. As well as oak chips, we also have oak powder, cubes, sticks and staves all available untoasted, medium toast or extra toast. We also provide strainer bags appropriate to the size of oak alternative that…

Here are our latest prices for used port wine barrels (and also used sherry barrels and used madeira barrels). Used Tawny Port Barrels500L – €770225L – €510128L – €31040L – €286 Used Ruby Port Barrels225L – €320128L – €28540L – €260 Used Madeira Barrels225L – €342128L – €31240L – €289 Used Sherry BarrelsOloroso 500L –…

The majority of what we sell is used Port wine barrels and used sherry barrels, but we do have a fluctuating stock of various exotic used barrels, mainly from Portugal but from other locations also. At the moment our used barrel stock for sale includes:Sauterne – 225 Litres Madeira – 225 Litres Dry White Port…

Our cooperage is based around 30 minutes south of Porto on the coast (in the city of Esmoriz) – there are only a handful of cooperages left in Portugal now and we would be very happy to welcome you to visit to see barrels being made and to learn about how the barrel making process…