The art of barrel aging has captivated spirit enthusiasts for centuries. What was once the exclusive domain of commercial distilleries is now accessible to anyone passionate about crafting exceptional spirits, wines, and cocktails at home. At Urban Barrel Company, we've made it our mission to bring professional-grade oak aging to home enthusiasts across Canada and the United States.

Our small-format oak aging barrels, ranging from 1 to 5 liters, offer the perfect balance between capacity, aging speed, and practicality—allowing you to create extraordinary spirits right in your own home.

Understanding Oak Barrel Aging

Oak barrel aging is far more than simple storage. It's a transformative process that fundamentally changes the character of spirits and wines through several simultaneous chemical reactions. When your spirit rests inside one of our oak barrels, the porous nature of the wood allows for micro-oxygenation, where small amounts of oxygen interact with the liquid, mellowing harsh flavors and creating exceptional smoothness.

The oak itself contributes valuable compounds like vanillin, tannins, and lignin, which add layers of vanilla, spice, caramel, and toasted notes to your beverage. The interior char or toast of our barrels acts as a natural filter, removing impurities while simultaneously adding complexity. This charred layer breaks down the wood's structure, making it easier for your spirit to extract those desirable flavors.

While traditional distilleries use full-size barrels holding hundreds of liters and requiring years for optimal aging, our small-format barrels dramatically accelerate this process. Thanks to the higher surface-area-to-volume ratio, you can achieve similar results in just weeks or months rather than years.

Why Choose 1L–5L Barrels?

The 1 to 5-liter capacity range represents the sweet spot for home aging. These barrels are large enough to produce meaningful quantities for entertaining or gifting, yet small enough to fit comfortably in your home bar, kitchen, or storage area. The accelerated aging timeline means you can experiment with different spirits, aging durations, and flavor profiles without committing to years-long projects.

For beginners, our smaller barrels offer a low barrier to entry. A 1-liter barrel allows you to test the aging process with a single bottle of spirit, minimizing risk while maximizing learning opportunities. As you gain confidence, you can scale up to our 3-liter or 5-liter barrels for larger batches perfect for parties, weddings, or gifts.

The rapid aging in smaller barrels occurs because the liquid has more contact with the wood relative to its volume. A 1-liter barrel might age a spirit in 2-4 weeks, while a 5-liter barrel typically requires 4-8 weeks for optimal results. This means you can cycle through multiple experiments in the time it would take a commercial distillery to age a single batch.

Also Check Our American White Oak Aging Barrels

About Urban Barrel Company

Founded by Jeff Roberts, also known as The Urban Barchef, Urban Barrel Company emerged from over two decades of experience in Ottawa's bar and spirits scene. After successfully establishing Urban Barchef, a cocktail catering company renowned for creating avant-garde cocktail designs for weddings, corporate events, and private parties, Jeff recognized the growing demand for high-quality home aging equipment—and we answered that call.

We specialize in distributing handmade premium oak barrels crafted from American white oak, the same species used by professional distilleries worldwide. Each of our barrels features a medium char interior, similar to what you'd find in a commercial distillery, ensuring authentic flavor development. Our commitment to quality means every barrel arrives complete with a stand for display, a wooden spigot for dispensing, a bung (cork) for sealing, and comprehensive handling instructions.

Where We Deliver

Based in Ottawa, Ontario, we proudly ship throughout Canada and the United States. We offer convenient delivery to communities across the Ottawa region and beyond, including:

Ottawa Region & Eastern Ontario:

• Kanata
• Nepean
• Barrhaven
• Orleans
• Gloucester
• Stittsville
• Manotick
• Rockcliffe Park
• Vanier
• Gatineau, QC
• Chelsea, QC
• Wakefield, QC
• Arnprior
• Carleton Place
• Kemptville
• Smiths Falls
• Perth
• Almonte
• Renfrew
• Pembroke
• Cornwall
• Brockville
• Kingston
• Belleville

We also ship to major cities across Canada and the United States, ensuring that spirit enthusiasts throughout North America can access professional-grade aging equipment.

What Sets Us Apart

Our dedication to customer service and product excellence distinguishes us in the market. We also offer customization options, including personalized engravings and corporate branding, making our barrels popular choices for weddings, corporate gifts, and special occasions.

Our partnership with skilled cooperages ensures each barrel meets exacting standards for construction and char quality. The American white oak we use is carefully selected for its tight grain and optimal flavor contribution. This attention to detail has earned us a loyal following among whiskey connoisseurs, home bartenders, and craft enthusiasts who demand authentic results.

Spirits Perfect for Small Barrel Aging

The versatility of our 1-5 liter oak barrels makes them suitable for aging an impressive variety of spirits:

Whiskey and Bourbon: Oak aging is fundamental to whiskey's identity. Young whiskey transforms dramatically in just a few weeks in our barrels, developing smoothness, complexity, and those characteristic vanilla and caramel notes.

Rum: White rum becomes golden rum in our barrels, taking on oak-derived colors and flavors that rival commercially aged products.

Cocktails: Barrel aging has become particularly popular among home bartenders. Classic cocktails like Manhattans, Negronis, and Old Fashioneds benefit immensely from barrel aging in our oak barrels, as the wood integrates the ingredients while adding an extra layer of sophistication.

Bitters: Bitters enthusiasts use our small barrels to create custom-aged bitters with unique flavor profiles impossible to achieve through standard maceration alone.

Wine: Our small oak barrels can add oak character to wines relatively quickly, allowing winemakers to add oak notes without the expense of traditional barrel aging—though careful tasting is essential to prevent over-oaking.

Tequila, Brandy, and Vodka: Blanco tequila becomes reposado-style after several weeks in our barrels, while brandy develops additional depth and complexity. Even vodka can gain interesting character from a brief stay in a charred oak barrel.

The Curing and Aging Process

Before you can age your first spirit, your new barrel requires proper curing. This essential step ensures the barrel is sealed tight and prevents leakage.

Curing Your Barrel

1. Fill your barrel completely with cold water and place it where minor seepage won't cause damage
2. Check daily for leaks around the hoops and seams
3. As the wood absorbs water, it expands and self-seals (typically 2-5 days)
4. Once the barrel holds water without significant leakage for 24 hours, drain it completely
5. Rinse several times with hot water until the water runs clear

Aging Your Spirit

After curing, your barrel is ready for its first fill. Pour in your chosen spirit, seal the barrel with the bung, and place it on its stand in a location with stable temperature. Avoid direct sunlight and extreme heat.

Tasting is crucial. Start tasting after one week, then sample every few days. Aging happens quickly in small barrels, and over-aging can result in excessive oak character that overwhelms the spirit's base flavors. Most spirits reach their peak between 2-8 weeks, depending on the barrel size and your personal preference.

Maintaining Your Barrel for Longevity

Proper care extends your barrel's useful life and ensures consistent results across multiple batches:

• After emptying a batch, rinse thoroughly with hot water until it runs clear
• Avoid soap or cleaning products—the porous wood will absorb these chemicals and taint future batches
• Remember that barrels absorb flavors from every batch (the "Devil's cut"), so consider dedicating specific barrels to specific spirits

Storage Between Uses

For long-term storage, you can fill the barrel with a sulfite solution to prevent mold and bacterial growth, or use a high-proof neutral spirit as a holding solution. If storing dry, be aware that it will need re-curing before its next use.

Our barrels typically provide 4-8 quality batches before becoming "neutral" with minimal flavor contribution.

Our Top 5 Oak Aging Barrels (1L-5L Range)

1. 1 Litre Oak Aging Barrel - $95.00 CAD

Our 1-liter barrel serves as the ideal entry point into barrel aging. Perfect for beginners or those who want to experiment without significant commitment, this compact barrel can age a standard 750ml bottle of spirit plus a bit of water to reach optimal proof.

Aging Timeline: 2-4 weeks for noticeable results

Best For: Beginners, small-batch experiments, gift preparation, limited storage spaces, testing new spirit varieties before committing to larger batches.

Shop 1 Litre Oak Aging Barrel

2. 2 Litre Oak Aging Barrel - $105.00 CAD

 

Our 2-liter capacity hits a sweet spot between experimental and practical. This barrel comfortably holds two standard bottles of spirit, making it practical for regular home use while maintaining relatively quick aging times.

Aging Timeline: 3-5 weeks

Best For: Intermediate users, cocktail aging, small gatherings, quarterly aging rotations, couples sharing a barrel aging hobby.

Shop 2 Litre Oak Aging Barrel

3. 3 Litre Oak Aging Barrel - $135.00 CAD

Our 3-liter barrel represents the most popular size among serious home aging enthusiasts. With capacity for four standard bottles, it provides enough output to keep your home bar stocked while maintaining reasonable aging times.

Aging Timeline: 4-6 weeks

Customer reviews consistently praise this barrel's performance. One verified user reported that bourbon aged for three months achieved quality that "many have said better than Bulleit," demonstrating the barrel's ability to produce professional-level results.

Best For: Serious hobbyists, regular home bar replenishment, wine aging experiments, creating gifts for multiple recipients, wedding favors.

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4. 5 Litre Oak Aging Barrel - $165.00 CAD

When you're ready to scale up your barrel aging operation, our 5-liter barrel delivers. Holding approximately six to seven standard bottles, this size is perfect for stocking up before party season or preparing wedding reception spirits.

Aging Timeline: 6-8 weeks

Best For: Experienced aging enthusiasts, party preparation, spirit blending projects, barrel-aging clubs, creating house whiskey for home bars.

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5. 1L Saint Bernard Barrel - $88.00 CAD

Our Saint Bernard barrel offers a unique aesthetic twist on traditional aging barrels. While maintaining the same 1-liter capacity and American white oak construction as our standard 1-liter model, this barrel features a distinctive Saint Bernard dog design that makes it a conversation piece.

Aging Timeline: 2-4 weeks

Best For: Gift-giving, dog enthusiasts, decorative home bars, milestone celebrations, collectors seeking unique barrel designs.

Shop 1L Saint Bernard Barrel

Start Your Barrel Aging Journey Today

Choosing the right barrel size depends on your experience level, available storage space, how much spirit you plan to age regularly, and how quickly you want results. Beginners should start with our 1-liter or Saint Bernard barrel to learn the process. Those ready to supply their home bar regularly will find our 3-liter or 5-liter options most practical.

Remember, each Urban Barrel Company barrel comes complete with everything needed to start aging: the barrel itself, a display stand, a wooden spigot, a sealing bung, and detailed instructions.

Whether you're crafting the perfect bourbon for personal enjoyment, preparing barrel-aged cocktails for your next dinner party, or creating unique gifts that showcase your artisanal spirit, we're here to help you transform ordinary spirits into extraordinary experiences.

Ready to start aging? Browse our complete collection of oak aging barrels and accessories at urbanbarrelcompany.com or contact us for personalized recommendations and bulk pricing for weddings and corporate events.