The Difference Between Wine Barrels and Whiskey Barrels

Written By Phil Lewin

The main difference between whiskey and wine barrels lies in their internal treatment and typical size:

  • Internal Treatment:

    • Whiskey: Heavily charred (burned) inside, creating a charcoal layer that removes impurities and imparts color and bold flavors

    • Wine: Toasted (gently heated), coaxing out sugars and compounds for softer flavors without the harsh filtration of charring.

  • Size & Appearance:

    • Whiskey: Standard American barrels hold about 200L and can look rustic.

    • Wine: Typically larger (around 225L) and often have a cleaner, more polished look with galvanized hoops.

  • Usage & Reuse:

    • Whiskey: Can be used for many years

    • Wine: Reused fewer times (2-5 batches) for shorter periods (a few years) before retirement, notes Wine barrels may be repurposed for whiskey, but the opposite is not true.

    • Both barrels are great for repurposing as planters, furniture and garden decor and should provide many years of service.

  • Construction: Wine barrels are often made from higher-quality oak and assembled with tighter construction to hold a drier liquid, while whiskey barrels can have more knots and imperfections. 

Phil Lewin
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