We are a leading 3rd generation family-owned cooperage established in 1990 and located in Athertonville, Kentucky. As one of the largest global manufacturers of new whiskey barrels, we take pride in our commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
At ZAK Cooperage, we procure all our Kentucky white oak from within a 100-mile radius around our cooperage and log yards in eastern Kentucky. This region’s limestone-rich soil provides ideal conditions for healthy white oak growth, contributing to the distinctive bourbon flavor profiles of our barrels. Sourcing locally benefits our nearby communities, supports our local loggers, and promotes proper forest management in our region.
We offer a range of custom toasting, charring, and air-seasoning options tailored to suit your unique flavor preferences. Explore our range of premium barrels and experience the unparalleled quality and craftsmanship that define ZAK Cooperage.
Discover why ZAK Cooperage is the preferred barrel cooperage in Kentucky and worldwide.
Our mission at ZAK Cooperage is to preserve the tradition of high quality coopering while pioneering innovative barrel solutions. We are dedicated to supporting the success and growth of our distillery partners through our commitment to excellence and craftsmanship. By sourcing our materials locally, we not only ensure the highest quality but also benefit our communities, support our loggers, and promote proper forest management in Kentucky.
At ZAK Cooperage, crafting barrels is a family tradition that has spanned three generations. Our skilled coopers handcraft each barrel, drawing on years of experience and a deep commitment to quality. From selecting premium American white oak to ensuring precise assembly, we attend to every detail to guarantee durability and excellence. By choosing ZAK Cooperage barrels, you are supporting a legacy of craftsmanship, innovation, and community values.
The excellence of our barrels begins with our choice of materials. We carefully select premium white oak from our region, ensuring that each log embodies the unique qualities of the limestone-rich soil of central Kentucky. Our staves are air seasoned on the banks of Knob Creek, allowing them to mature naturally and develop the perfect characteristics for aging spirits. This meticulous attention to our air seasoning process transcends into the quality of the whiskey that ages in our barrels, imparting rich, complex flavors and ensuring an exceptional final product.
We excel in providing custom solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each distillery. Our ability to customize our toast, char, and air seasoning programs allows us to create barrels that perfectly match your desired flavor profile. With decades of family experience and the invaluable expertise of our co-founder, Bert Zimlich, who served as VP-Director of Engineering at Brown-Forman and President of Bluegrass Cooperage, we bring a wealth of knowledge to every project. Our extensive experience working closely with our customers on countless collaborations ensures that we can handle projects of any size, from small batches to large-scale production runs. Partner with ZAK Cooperage for custom cooperage solutions that enhance the distinct characteristics of your whiskey and deliver exceptional quality.