White oak can hold liquids very well. “The wood cells of white oak trees contain a plastic-like substance called tyloses that makes the durable wood waterproof and accounts for its use in barrels, buckets, and ships. Beyond functionality, white oak barrels also impart highly desirable qualities to the liquid contained,” says Feast Magazine.

White Oak’s structure is perfect for enhancing the flavor of whatever wine, beer, bourbon, whiskey or any other spirits it holds. “White oak’s cellular structure allows small amounts of oxygen to permeate barrel staves and diffuse its contents. Chemical reactions help soften tannins from the wood and stabilize color of the liquid,” says Feast Magazine.

Those “chemical reactions” quoted previously are charring and sanding. The white oak works really well being manipulated through charring and sanding techniques to help enhance the perfect flavor for its contents.

While white oak is our favorite choice at Black Water Barrels, we also have other options as well. Please inquire through our online form.

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Lighter char levels tend to show more fruit esters and spice notes. The barrel surface is burnt black and showing minimal split in the wood.

Darker char levels will extract more vanilla flavors and color into the spirit. The barrel surface is burnt black and shows a cross hatch pattern with crocodile skin cracking throughout.

Here are some basic points about barrel char levels:

• There are technically 7 levels of charring that can be applied to barrels intended for use in aging spirits. However, No.6 and No.7 levels are rarely used and will usually leave drinks tasting like liquid smoke.
• Char levels are determined by the amount of time flame is applied to the interior of the barrel. Timing determines how much crackling will happen to the interior surface, as well as the amount of sugar and other compounds will be released.
• No.1 Char is 15 seconds.
• No.2 is 30 seconds.
• No.3 (more common) is 35 seconds.
• No.4 Char is 55 seconds. The No.4 Char is also known as the “alligator char,” since after that duration of charring, the interior of the oak wood staves has the rough, shiny texture of alligator skin.
• Char layers tend to be between 1/8 to 1/4” thick.

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We are gearing up and just about ready to start producing in our Bamberg, South Carolina. We are proud of our first oak barrel, and we know that this is only a preview of what’s to come.

Ready to talk about your business’s barrel needs? Send us an email or call/text 803-312-1343.

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We are excited to say that our showroom is almost done! With all the building updates going on, we are almost ready to start producing. It’s so mind-blowing watching all of our details start to come together. The picture of the sign will go out front of Black Water Barrels with LED lights on the back of it.

With our showroom nearing completion, this means our equipment will be coming in soon!

We are also happy to dedicate two rocking chairs to the previous owner one of our buildings. Stay tuned for photos and a dedication blog!

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With construction of Black Water Barrels well under way, check out a few more interior photos. We are excited to see the finished facility soon. With our modern accents and clean lines coming along more and more each day, our design for our facility is bound to be amazing.

The location for our facility is perfect. With the different shipping options for our clients, the fact that our facility sits on seven acres of property is just icing on the cake. Consider pre-ordering your custom, quality barrels today.

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Black Water Barrels will make barrels for bourbon, wine, cider, whiskey and more. Over $3.6 million has been invested in this Bamberg business. With their top-of-the-line manufacturing line and equipment, these old-style cooperage form barrels are sure to be nothing short of amazing quality.

Black Water aims to have a huge local impact on the community. It could bring in more than 57 jobs within the next five years. Production will start mid-July, but pre-orders are being taken now. 

According to ABC Columbia, President Greg Pierce explained some other goals for Black Water. “There are very few places in the United States you can go and see an actual barrel being made in the old-style cooperage form, and you’ll be able to do that here.”

Black Water will use American White Oak from the Appalachian Mountains to make their 30, 53 and 60-gallon barrels. The equipment it takes to make these old-style cooperage form barrels is pretty intense. To find out more, watch the video from ABC Columbia.

The post Black Water Barrels Opening appeared first on Black Water Barrels.

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May 16, 2016

Check out our progress as of May 16. These pictures show the outside of the dealership being converted into a showroom, as well as building progress for the manufacturing facility.

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