How We Grade Barrels & Why It Matters
January 10th, 2024
Quality above all else. Those are words we live by at Midwest Barrel Co., and it’s a standard the entire barrel-aging industry upholds daily. Just as our customers know that attention to detail and a commitment to quality are key to their bottled products’ success, we understand the critical role our barrels play in achieving that quality.
While our team is committed to providing easy access to high-quality bourbon, whiskey, and other used oak barrels for every customer, we know how vital our Damn. Good. Barrels.™ promise is for international orders. After all, trust is a key element when customers thousands of miles away—like those in Scotland, Ireland, India, and China—are purchasing large quantities of barrels shipped from our Kentucky warehouse.
Whether it’s for aging Scotch, whisky, or other spirits, we’re committed to delivering barrels that meet our rigorous standards for fillability, appearance and flavor profile. This commitment has earned us the trust of international customers who value consistent, high-quality casks at fair prices.
Where We Source Used Bourbon & Whiskey BARRELS
Our quality promise begins with sourcing. We work with distillery and barrel-aging partners who, like us, prioritize delivering high-quality, sustainable products to their customers.
To date, Midwest Barrel Co. has sourced barrels from over 190 bourbon distilleries across the U.S., including respected names like Wild Turkey, Barton 1792, and Willett Distillery. We are the exclusive buyer and seller of all Willett barrels, which are highly sought after due to the barrels’ exceptional quality and the award-winning bourbon they aged. What do our exclusive partnerships mean for our customers? They ensure we deliver barrels that provide exceptional results for their products.
Regardless of their origins, every barrel undergoes the same process. After they’re unloaded, our team conducts a thorough inspection. Only after passing this inspection are the barrels hand-stamped with our Damn. Good. Barrels.™ seal and made available to purchase.
Our 5-Point Inspection Ensures Barrel Quality
We developed a comprehensive 5-point inspection process to ensure the barrels we sell exceed customer expectations. We’re proud to say we have a reputation to uphold.
To ensure these standards are met, each barrel that enters our Louisville, Kentucky warehouse is meticulously inspected by our in-house Barrel Quality Assurance team, who each bring years of distillery experience to the table. Still, every member is trained to inspect every barrel with attention to these five points:
Hoop Rust
Stave Damage
Heads
Bunghole Staves
After inspection, the barrels are graded based on quality. And those that don’t make the cut for filling? They’re repurposed as furniture or decor. Because we believe in promoting sustainability by extending the life of every barrel, none are ever discarded.
Barrel Grades Offer Clarity &
Transparency for Customers
Our international customers have a better understanding of what they’re buying thanks to our barrel grading system. Barrels eligible for international shipping are graded into three categories: #1 Selects, #2 Selects, and #3 Barrels.
Each grade is refillable; however, there are key differences. Here’s an overview of how they’re classified:
#1 Select Barrels
As our highest-quality refillable barrels, #1 Selects are sourced from well-known American bourbon distilleries. These barrels require no repairs or re-coopering before filling.
To make the #1 Select grade, a barrel must meet these standards:
No warping on the head
Six tight hoops
No major rust on or damage to the hoops
No vertical hairline cracks, no damage or folding to the chime
No bunghole stave cracks
With #1 Selects, customers can rest easily knowing they’re getting the most durable, reliable barrels we offer, built to age for decades to come.
#2 Select Barrels
Our #2 Selects are solid, refillable barrels with a bit more character. They may have some minor imperfections, but none that affect performance.
A #2 Select barrel meets the following specifications:
Tight hoops (minor rust possible)
May have minor vertical hairline cracks on staves (Maximum of 3 hairline cracks, less than 2 inches wide, no more than ½-inch deep, with only one hairline crack per stave)
No damage to folding or chime
No bunghole stave cracks
Head may show slight bulging or warping
Despite these cosmetic flaws, the barrel’s ability to hold liquid isn’t affected. #2 Selects are in excellent shape to deliver exceptional flavors to Scotch, whisky or any other spirit they age next.
#3 Barrels
As long as a few repairs are no concern, #3 Barrels are an excellent cost-effective solution to buying casks that still get the job done and deliver the desired result.
These barrels may have any of the following:
Loose, grouped, or missing hoops
Significant hoop rust
Stave damage, including possible complete stave failure (Minimum of 3 hairline cracks that may extend the width of a stave. May have more than one hairline crack per stave & cracks may be deeper than ½-inch)
Major bulging or warping of heads
Multiple bung holes
Significant bunghole stave damage
While these barrels require repairs, they are fully refillable once restored and remain an excellent budget-friendly option.
Barrels Beyond Refillability
Not every barrel has what it takes to be refillable, but that doesn’t mean it’s without value. Sustainability is central to what we do, which is why we ensure every barrel finds a new purpose. Cull barrels—those that don’t meet refillable standards— are repurposed into furniture, decor, or transformed into our premium BBQ smoking wood. We’re in the business of helping every barrel write its next chapter, no matter its grade.
Why Buy Barrels from Midwest Barrel Co.?
Because when it comes to barrels, we don’t cut corners. Our meticulous inspection and grading process is the backbone of our Damn. Good. Barrels.™ promise—and it’s what truly sets us apart from the rest of the pack.
Every barrel that passes inspection gets something no one else in the industry offers: a hand-stamped seal. That stamp isn’t just a nice touch; it’s the ultimate mark of approval, a guarantee that this barrel is ready to deliver the quality distillers across the globe demand. We take that responsibility seriously.
Ready to place an order? Or maybe you want to learn more about your options? Reach out to us here. Our team is here to make your order process easy and your spirits exceptional.
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