Though Herodotus mentions palm-wood casks used in shipping Armenian wine to Babylon in Mesopotamia, the barrel as we know it today was most likely developed by the Celts. Around 350 BC they were already using watertight, barrel-shaped wooden containers that were able to withstand stress and could be rolled and stacked. For nearly 2,000 years, barrels were the most convenient form of shipping or storage container for those who could afford them. All kinds of bulk goods, from nails to gold coins, were stored in them. Bags and most crates were cheaper, but they were not as sturdy and they were more difficult to manhandle for the same weight.
The use of barrels for the transportation of bulk goods slowly lost its importance in the 20th century with the introduction of pallet-based logistics and containerization. However, they are still of great importance in the aging of wines and spirits.
River Drive’s Role in the Barrel Industry
Starting out as a reclaimed lumber company, we would search the dark depths of lakes and rivers for logs lost in the days of the river drives. Though our salvages were successful, the process of recovering sunken logs is extremely laborious, costly, and heavily restricted by local, state, and federal agencies. It’s certainly not how it’s portrayed on TV, and we knew there had to be a better way.
Working with companies large and small from all around the world, we buy, sell, recondition, and recycle used oak barrels. We’ve revolutionized the world of reclaimed barrels, and engineer new and better ways to produce highly unique and quality products. From something as simple as a bottle opener, all the way to the flooring in a 1,000 sq/ft restaurant in the heart of Dubai, U.A.E. We work directly with cooperages, distilleries, and breweries, and 100% of every barrel we take in is recycled. Any piece of wood that we are unable to use for a product is saved and burned in the furnace to warm us in the winter.
River Drive invites you to join us in preserving and appreciating the historic value that surrounds each of our one of kind and irreplaceable pieces.
We’re in the Business of Making Things Better;
Barrels, Spirits, Beer, and the World.
While we partner with creative professionals to provide great products to millions of consumers around the globe, 663 million people worldwide lack access to a fundamental human need; Water. Through our partnership with water.org, every barrel sold helps provide one person in the developing world with one year of access to safe water.
For More Information, Feel Free to Contact Us.
*Any barrel, of any size, sold or recycled by us.
**The unit of measurement, equivalent to 31 gallons.
Winemakers know that barrels do more than store wine—they shape its flavor, aroma, and character. River Drive’s Natural F.I.T. Barrels are designed for those seeking a unique edge in crafting their wines.
These innovative barrels feature a proprietary process that enhances wood’s natural flavors, creating a distinct impact on your wine's profile. The Natural F.I.T. (Flavor Integration Technology) approach emphasizes precision and consistency, giving winemakers confidence in every batch.
Elevate your winemaking with barrels that combine tradition and innovation. Learn more about the Natural F.I.T. Barrels at River Drive Cooperage.
The shortage of new and freshly emptied bourbon barrels has been all over the news, sending distilleries and breweries scrambling. Luckily we’ve got great news!
Bourbon Cube Barrel Socks
With our Custom Aging Platform™, we’re able to provide new American Oak cubes, toasted to spec and seasoned with custom blends of real bourbon. These products are already being used in all reaches of the globe by industry-leading Winemakers, Brewers, and Distillers. All reaches of the globe because, compared to barrels, they’re also far less expensive to ship!
Partial to certain bourbon brands? Allow us to cater to you, mirroring your favorite blends.
Death, taxes, and wildfires are some of the earth’s events that are difficult to control and generally inevitable. With recent fires along the West Coast, down through South America and Australia, and even throughout Spain and Portugal, many of the globes most prized wine regions have been affected.
Exposing grapes to smoke can result in wines that develop unfavorable sensory profiles. Compounds in the smoke bind with the grapes and usually lead to characteristics that are described as burnt, smokey, bacon-like, medicinal, and ashy. But if this does occur, all may not be lost!
Researchers suggest several options to minimize the effect of smoke taint, including the addition of barrels, wood adjuncts, and tannins. Science has shown that increasing wines’ complexity can reduce and even refine the unexpected profiles brought on by smoke. Brewers and distillers have long been capitalizing on the unrivaled flavors pulled from fresh used barrels sourced from all corners of the globe. Not only do fresh used barrels offer unparalleled profiles with enchanting backstories, many producers have also found these trends to been wildly successful!
Volatile phenols are the culprit behind smoke taint. However, like many other ingredients, when they are introduced at different times they produce different results;
Pre-fermentation: Smoke taint.
Post-fermentation: Wood aging.
So how is exposing the wine to charred/toasted wood (barrels, chips, cubes, etc) different from exposing grapes to smoke? We address that here:
Toasted Barrels vs. Charred Forests
Understanding the effects of charred & toasted wood vs. smoke taint from wildfires
When wines are exposed to these phenols post fermentation, it’s traditionally done by way of barrels, chips, cubes, and other adjuncts. Traditionally, this builds profiles within the wine through the release of guaiacol, furfurals, lactones, and eugenol. However, when fresh used barrels are introduced, we get another level of flavors too. From rich bourbon barrel aged Cabernets to decadent tequila barrel Sauvignons. The spirits emerge from deep within the wood to add an unparalleled level of complexity and body. While rum barrels deliver a mouthwatering sweetness, a Rye barrel will bring its classic spice. And of course an age old single malt scotch cask will vastly enrich the smokiness within its staves.
At a fraction of the price, quality fresh used barrels can also deliver monumental ROI’s when compared to the cost of a virgin barrel, not to mention the authentic stories each and every barrel carries with them.
Just like a virgin barrel, there’s never any excuse for leaky, infected, or pour quality cooperage. Learn more about our 5 Point Barrel Inspection that ensures each and every barrel arrives with an industry-leading Barrel Quality Guarantee.
Aging options now sore miles beyond just a handful of wood species, while creating inarguable reputations amongst passionate liquid artisans around the world.
See all 11 techniques for dealing with smoke taint, as suggested by the AWRI, here.
Let's face it - there's a lot more appeal in the history and character of a beautiful barrel than there is in a barrel rack or fermentation bung. But a well run barrel program means a well prepared barrel program - and we have the supplies to keep you ready! Various barrel rack sizes, wood and silicone bungs, tasting nails, sulphur strips, and soaking bags are all available to be included with your next oak order.
7" Double Bar Rack
One of our most popular 2 barrel racks, the 7" double bar fits 53 gallon whiskey or bordeaux-style wine barrels.
Fermentation Bung
Silicone ventilating bungs allow CO2 pressure to escape while keeping O2 and other contaminants out.
Soaking Bags
These nylon mesh bags are great for soaking or dunking our Barrel Chips or Oak Cubes and will not mildew, rot, or retain odors.
We thought you might find this handy ...
While we love hunting down the juiciest, freshest, hard to find barrels and getting them into the hands of the people making great beverages, that's only a part of what we do. Among our other services, we provide training and resources for barrel maintenance and repair - keeping your barrel program humming along when the inevitable issue arises.
We've put together a few guides to help with this, and our first to share is our Barrel Anatomy guide. View the webpage below and download the print-sized posters for your shop! And if you need tools for your own maintenance and repair, check out our River Drive Deluxe Coopering Tool Kit.
Barrel Anatomy
Learn the parts of a barrel and how they fit together for easier maintenance and repair of your barrels.
INNOVATIVE AGING THROUGH TRADITIONAL SOLUTIONS.
While the barrel isn’t new, the way winemakers view them is evolving. Eying the trends of the worlds most appealing and best selling craft beer, we see reds and whites, of all different varietals, being paired with freshly used barrels. From rich bourbon barrel wine like Cabernets to decadent tequila barrel Sauvignons, the spirits emerge from deep within the wood to add an unparalleled level of complexity and body. Rum barrels deliver a mouthwatering sweetness; a rye barrel will bring its classic spice. Aging options now soar miles beyond just a handful of wood species, while creating inarguable reputations amongst passionate liquid artisans around the world.
INNOVATION AT ITS FINEST, TRADITION AT ITS PUREST.
Aging wine in spirit barrels isn’t new – winemakers have used bourbon barrels for decades when new oak has been in short supply. As craft beer and specialty spirits continue to grow across the globe, brewers and distillers began to see the barrel differently. Many producers select freshly used barrels as carefully as any other ingredient. These craftsmen rest, age, and finish their goods for years, maybe months, and sometimes just weeks. Their liquid art evolves within the wood, picking up flavors of spirits past and developing award-winning profiles.
It isn’t a secret that the wooden barrel is no longer a necessity for the alcohol industry, though its utility is still often preferred. With the advent of steel, some producers have long separated from wood. But stave and steel were never meant to be equals. While bourbon distillers and winemakers cherish the unmatched profiles built by the tannins and compounds within virgin wood, there’s another world that patiently waits for these hand-me-downs.
For centuries, Scotch and Irish Whisk(e)y makers have reveled in the treasures that some may see as trash. From the Emerald Isle to Islay, across the Highlands, and down the River Spey, used bourbon barrels, spent wine barriques, and decades-old Sherry and Porto casks are the lifeblood to some of the worlds most noted spirits and create new flavors like those in bourbon barrel wine. These barrels add unmatched character when reused, each creating an awe-inspiring and historic journey for the tastebuds.
At a fraction of the price, quality fresh used barrels can also deliver monumental ROI’s when compared to the cost of a virgin barrel, not to mention the authentic stories each and every barrel carries with them.
Just like a virgin barrel, there’s never any excuse for leaky, infected, or pour quality cooperage. Learn more about our 5 Point Barrel Inspection that ensures each and every barrel arrives with an industry-leading Barrel Quality Guarantee.
https://www.barrelsdirect.com/the-barrel-blog/bourbon-barrel-wine/
DEADLINE EXTENDED!
We had a baby last week! That kinda messed up my schedule, so we decided to extend the deadline for this awesome giveaway while I catch up on sleep work!
- Matt
We've partnered with Honeycomb Credit to give one lucky winner a $2,500 BarrelsDirect.com Shopping Spree! For more info on the giveaway and Honeycomb Credit, visit their website.
"But I never win anything"
- Probably someone
All eligible† entrants will receive a 10% off* coupon for BarrelsDirect.com!
*Coupon value 10% off up to $100 total discount
†US only. If you're not in the US and feel left out, email us for a special gift
Banking on winning?
Check out these FRESH bourbon offerings!