The Black Swan Cooperage, a family-run cooperage specializing in crafting whiskey barrels and innovative wood-aging alternatives, was founded in 2009. It is one of few cooperages making barrels for small bourbon distilleries.
The Black Swan Cooperage logo
It all begins with white oak.
and plenty of it!
Several components are created
including lids,
and stiles.
The carefully created components are assembled
and the barrel begins to form.
Partially assembled, barrel takes a bath.
The bath relaxes the white oak.
Once soaked, the barrel continues to take shape.
The top becomes the bottom,
and the top is formed with cables and hydraulics,
The white oak scaps are lit to begin the toasting process
which brings the sugars to the surface and browns the wood,
Once the toasting is complete, sawdust is placed inside the barrel and lit.
Compressed air creates a "tornado" inside to evenly char the barrel.
The bung is cut into the side and sealed
by the heated rod.
If the barrel passes final inspection, it is labelled.