The history of barrels and aging begins with the discovery by Dutch merchants that distilled wine (brandywine) from Cognac took on an exceptional new flavor as it aged in barrels on route to its destination.
The longer the voyage, the better it tasted, and the higher the asking price at port. Naturally, those clever Scotts got wind of this and began to age their whiskies accordingly.
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Then, in the mid 19th century a calamity struck French vineyards that would change the course of barrels and aging to forever.
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American vineyards had been importing French grape varieties for centuries, so it was no surprise that French vintners would think to import American vines to ensure their vineyards remained competitive. Turns out the move was a major mistake! In one of these exchanges, a tiny little bug snuck on board and ruined everything.
Blame the Americans – French grape growers had just met their worst enemy!
In the mid to late-1800s, an invasive American insect called the phylloxera infested France’s vineyards and wiped out Cognac supplies across Europe.
Europe had tragically lost their favorite Cognac brandy and that sparked a desperate search for a replacement. Spanish sherries filled the gap but soon those empty sherry barrels began to stack up. Scotch whisky makers would capitalize on a new flavoring opportunity.
Scotch whisky distillers bought up the sherry barrels and used them to store their whisky. Turns out it was a vast improvement on the barrels they were using, as the sherry-drenched wood added a distinctive new flavor to their whisky. By the late 1800s, Scotch whisky––aged in sherry barrels––would replace sherry itself as the drink of choice for wealthy Europeans.
Aging takes time, especially in used barrels and why so many excellent Scotches are sold as 12, 15 or 20 years in age. This finishing step is what makes a whiskey truly unforgettable. The craftsmen who produce these barrels are called coopers.
Casks are any types of cooperage containing a bouge, bilge or bulge in the middle of the container. A barrel is a type of cask, but the trade of “barrel-making” refers to just one aspect of a cooper’s work.
Wet coopers also known as tight coopers make casks for long-term storage and for the transportation of liquids that may contain pressure, like keg beer. Coopers work on ships, docks, breweries, wineries, distilleries, and in warehouses. They are responsible for cargo while in storage or transit.
In the 21st century, coopers mostly operate barrel-making machinery and assemble casks for the wine and spirits industry.
