Everything you need to choose a barrel size — physical dimensions, how much each one holds, and how quickly it will age what you put in it.
Barrel Dimensions
The engraveable face is the flat circular area on the barrel head. It sets the maximum size of any name, date or logo.
| Barrel Size | End to End | Width of Head | Engraveable Face |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Liter | 5″ | 4.5″ | 3.5″ |
| 2 Liter | 7″ | 5.5″ | 4″ |
| 3 Liter | 8.5″ | 6″ | 5″ |
| 5 Liter | 9″ | 7″ | 5.5″ |
| 10 Liter | 11.5″ | 9″ | 7″ |
| 20 Liter | 15″ | 11.5″ | 9″ |
All sizes are approximate. Barrels are handmade, so each one varies slightly.
Alcohol & Essence Conversion
How much neutral grain alcohol fills each barrel, and how many bottles of essence you will need to go with it.
| Barrel Size | Neutral Grain Alcohol | Bottles of Essence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Liter | 1 Liter | 1 |
| 2 Liter | 2 Liters | 2 |
| 3 Liter | 3 Liters | 3 |
| 5 Liter | 5 Liters | 5 |
| 10 Liter | 10 Liters | 10 |
| 20 Liter | 20 Liters | 20 |
One bottle of essence per liter of alcohol.
Capacity by Volume
What each barrel holds, in the measures you are most likely to think in.
| Barrel Size | 750 ml Bottles | 1 oz Shots | Gallons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Liter | 1⅓ | 33.8 | 0.264 |
| 2 Liter | 2⅔ | 67.6 | 0.528 |
| 3 Liter | 4 | 101.4 | 0.793 |
| 5 Liter | 6⅔ | 169.1 | 1.321 |
| 10 Liter | 13⅓ | 338.1 | 2.642 |
| 20 Liter | 26⅔ | 676.3 | 5.283 |
Aging Time Comparison
A smaller barrel puts far more oak surface against every liter of spirit, so it works faster. The table compares each size against a standard 53-gallon distillery barrel: the final three columns show roughly how long your barrel needs to do what a full-size cask does in one year.
| Volume | Surface Area (sq. in.) |
Surface to Volume Ratio |
Ratio to 53 Gal Barrel |
Days = 1 yr |
Weeks = 1 yr |
Months = 1 yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Liter | 206 | 206 | 6.31 | 58 | 8.24 | 1.90 |
| 2 Liter | 297 | 148 | 4.54 | 80 | 11.45 | 2.64 |
| 3 Liter | 398 | 133 | 4.07 | 90 | 12.79 | 2.95 |
| 5 Liter | 569 | 114 | 3.49 | 105 | 14.92 | 3.44 |
| 10 Liter | 892 | 89 | 2.73 | 134 | 19.04 | 4.39 |
| 20 Liter | 1382 | 69 | 2.12 | 173 | 24.58 | 5.67 |
| 200 Liter / 53 Gallon | 6535 | 33 | 1.00 | 365 | 52.00 | 12.00 |
Taste as you go. Small barrels move quickly, and the right moment to stop is the one you like best.