We make premium whiskey barrels with the utmost care at ZAK Cooperage, knowing each barrel is a critical part of the aging process. However, how much whiskey can a barrel actually hold? Specifically, how many 750ml bottles can you fill from a single barrel of whiskey?
We shall break down the number of bottles in a barrel in this blog and explain how the barrel size, evaporation, and aging impact the amount of whiskey that you can bottle.
Standard Whiskey Barrel Size:
The most common whiskey barrel size used for aging bourbon and other spirits is the American Standard Barrel, which holds 53 gallons of liquid. However, note that the measurement is referring to the liquid volume, not the physical volume, since it refers to the amount the barrel can hold when it’s filled to its maximum capacity.
For those who don’t know what a gallon is, 53 gallons is equivalent to 200.6 liters of liquid.
Now, let us see how many 750 ml bottles you can get from the amount of liquid.
How Many 750ml Bottles Are in a Standard 53-Gallon Barrel?
To find out the number of 750ml bottles in a 53-gallon barrel, the following steps are followed:
Convert the barrel size from gallons to milliliters.
- 1 gallon = 3,785.41 milliliters
- 53 gallons = 53 x 3,785.41 = 200,227.73 milliliters(approx.)
Determine how many 750ml bottles can be contained in the total milliliters in a barrel:
- 200,227.73 milliliters ÷ 750 milliliters = 267.64 bottles
Thus, a 53-gallon barrel can produce about 267 full 750ml bottles of whiskey, assuming that the barrel is filled to its maximum capacity.
The Effect of Evaporation: “The Angel’s Share”
While a barrel may begin at 53 gallons of liquid, the amount of whiskey available after the aging process is completed will be less, due largely to evaporation, or what is called “the angel’s share.”
During the aging process, the whiskey inside the barrel interacts with the wood, and a portion of the liquid evaporates through the pores of the oak. The amount of whiskey lost varies depending on climate, barrel conditions, and aging time, but it’s not uncommon for up to 5% per year of the whiskey to evaporate. This means that after several years of aging, a barrel can lose a significant portion of its initial volume.
For example:
- If a barrel loses 5% of its volume each year, after 3 years of aging, you could lose around 15% of the original volume.
- This means instead of producing 267 bottles, the same barrel might only yield around 227 bottles after 3 years, depending on evaporation and other factors.
At ZAK Cooperage, we make each barrel from white oak so that evaporation effects will be minimized and optimal aging conditions delivered. Nonetheless, some sort of loss in the aging process is unavoidable.
Does Barrel Size Affect Bottle Yield?
Different barrel sizes can also impact how many bottles you can fill. While the 53-gallon barrel is the industry standard, smaller barrels, such as 25-gallon or 30-gallon barrels, will result in fewer bottles due to the smaller volume.
For example:
- A 25-gallon barrel holds around 94.64 liters, which would yield approximately 126 bottles of 750ml whiskey when filled to maximum capacity.
- A 30-gallon barrel holds about 113.57 liters, yielding around 151 bottles.
In general, smaller barrels are used by craft distilleries or for quicker aging, as whiskey contacts the wood more frequently, therefore extracting flavors faster.
Why Barrel Size Matters in Whiskey Aging
Whiskey barrel aging naturally depends on the size of the barrel, which affects both the aging process and the flavor. Smaller barrels create more contact between the whiskey and the wood, allowing it to age faster and develop a stronger flavor. On the other hand, larger barrels result in a slower aging process, producing a smoother, more balanced whiskey.
At ZAK Cooperage, we excel in the crafting of premium whiskey barrels with different sizes tailored to every specific distillery. Whether you wish to use standard 53-gallon barrels or smaller size, custom made barrels for experimental aging-whatever your whiskey barrel desire, we at ZAK Cooperage stand ready.
We have a passion for delivering distilleries the best barrels for aging their whiskeys. These are made from fine American white oak for optimal taste extraction and aging conditions. Whether you require standard 53-gallon barrels or bespoke sizes for your distillery, we will assist you in achieving your ideal whiskey.
Our commitment to quality and craftsmanship ensures that your whiskey will age beautifully, and every drop is worth the investment. If you are ready to take your whiskey aging process to the next level, contact ZAK Cooperage today to place an order or learn more about our premium whiskey barrels.