2-Liter Craft Series American White Oak Aging Barrel with Brass Spigot
Authentic Oak Aging. Premium Brass Hardware. Made in the USA.
Bring the tradition of whiskey barrel aging into your home with the Thousand Oaks Barrel Co. 2-Liter Craft Series American White Oak Aging Barrel with Brass Spigot. Handcrafted from new American white oak with a medium-charred interior and six black steel hoops, this functional aging barrel features an upgraded brass dispensing spigot that combines classic appearance with convenient serving.
With its 2-liter capacity (approximately 0.53 gallons), this compact barrel is ideal for whiskey enthusiasts, home bartenders, and anyone interested in experimenting with small-batch spirits without committing to a larger volume. Whether you're finishing bourbon, aging rum or tequila, or creating barrel-aged cocktails, it offers an engaging way to develop your own flavor profiles.
Experience Real Oak Aging at Home
Getting started is simple. Prepare and cure your barrel according to the included instructions, fill it with your favorite spirit or prepared cocktail, and allow the liquid to interact with the medium-charred American white oak interior. Over time, the oak can contribute vanilla, caramel, toasted wood, baking spice, and subtle smoky notes, along with additional color and complexity.
Because smaller barrels provide greater wood contact relative to their capacity, oak flavors can develop more quickly than in traditional full-size barrels. Sample your creation periodically through the brass spigot and bottle it when the flavor reaches your preference. Try finishing a favorite whiskey, experimenting with a barrel-aged Manhattan or Old Fashioned, or creating your own signature spirit blend.
The compact 2-liter size is especially convenient for first-time barrel-aging projects, recipe testing, and experimenting with different spirits in manageable batches.
Premium Brass Spigot Meets Authentic Barrel Construction
What sets this Craft Series barrel apart is its solid brass dispensing spigot, a distinctive upgrade from the traditional wooden spigot. The warm brass finish complements the natural grain of American white oak, while the convenient tap makes sampling and serving easy without repeatedly removing the bung.
Each barrel is constructed from new American white oak staves with a medium-charred interior, six black steel hoops, and a wooden display stand. Unlike decorative barrels or beverage dispensers, this is a functional oak aging barrel designed for genuine interaction between spirits and wood.
Learn more about the materials, construction, and performance principles behind our barrels in the TOBC Distillery-Grade Barrel Standard.
With proper care, the barrel can be reused for additional aging projects, allowing you to explore different spirits and flavor combinations as the oak characteristics evolve.
Everything You Need to Get Started
Each 2-liter Brass Spigot Barrel includes:
- New American white oak aging barrel with medium-charred interior
- Six black steel hoops
- Premium brass dispensing spigot
- Wooden barrel stand and bung
- Barrel storing tablets for maintenance between uses
- Bootlegger's Bible — 28-page booklet with barrel preparation instructions, aging tips, and recipes
The barrel should be cured with water before its first use. Spirits are not included.
A Distinctive Gift for Whiskey Enthusiasts
The 2-Liter Craft Series Brass Spigot Barrel makes a memorable gift for whiskey lovers, bourbon enthusiasts, home bartenders, and anyone who appreciates traditional craftsmanship. Its compact size fits comfortably on a kitchen counter, home bar, whiskey-room shelf, or tasting-room display.
Instead of simply giving someone another bottle of whiskey, you're giving them the opportunity to create their own barrel-aged spirits, experiment with flavors, and share the results. The smaller capacity makes it particularly appealing as an introduction to the craft of barrel aging.
Since 1999, Thousand Oaks Barrel Co. has produced more than 1.5 million barrels, supplying oak aging products to distillers, breweries, wineries, and home enthusiasts around the world.
2-Liter Craft Series Brass Spigot Barrel — Real Oak. Real Aging. A Touch of Brass.
Frequently Asked Questions About Small Oak Barrels
What is the best small barrel for aging whiskey?
Look for a functional aging barrel made from quality oak with an appropriate interior treatment. If your goal is substantial fresh-oak interaction similar in principle to traditional American whiskey maturation, a new charred American white oak barrel is an excellent choice. Barrel size should be selected according to the quantity you want to age and how you intend to use it.
What is the best mini barrel size for aging whiskey at home?
For many home users, 1-liter and 2-liter barrels provide a practical starting point because they allow experimentation with manageable quantities. Larger 3-, 5-, 10- and 20-liter barrels are useful when greater capacity is desired.
Is new oak better than used oak for aging whiskey?
Neither is universally better. They produce different aging environments. New oak provides fresh wood interaction, while previously used oak has already undergone one or more extraction cycles. The better choice depends on the result you're trying to achieve.
Does bourbon have to be aged in new oak?
Under U.S. standards, bourbon whiskey must be stored in charred new oak containers. Bourbon must also satisfy additional requirements concerning its mash, production, proof and other characteristics.
Does bourbon have to be aged for two years?
No. The two-year requirement applies to straight bourbon whiskey, not to bourbon whiskey generally. TTB guidance distinguishes bourbon from straight bourbon on that basis.
How quickly does whiskey age in a small barrel?
There isn't one correct number. Smaller barrels provide a different wood-to-liquid relationship than traditional large barrels, so oak influence can become noticeable relatively quickly. Taste periodically rather than relying solely on a predetermined aging schedule.
Can I use a small oak barrel more than once?
Yes. With appropriate care, barrels can often be reused, although subsequent fills will interact differently with the oak than the first fill.
Do I need to cure a new barrel?
Yes. A new wooden barrel should be properly hydrated and prepared according to its instructions before being filled with spirits.
WHAT SPIRITS CAN I AGE IN A SMALL OAK BARREL?
Small American white oak barrels can be used to age whiskey, bourbon, rum, tequila, brandy, wine, and barrel-aged cocktails. The charred oak interior adds color, flavor, and complexity over time. Spirits are not included and must be supplied separately.
HOW DO I CLEAN AND MAINTAIN MY OAK AGING BARREL?
After each batch, empty the barrel and rinse with clean, warm water. Avoid soap or household cleaning chemicals, which can affect the wood and future flavors. Follow proper barrel care and storage instructions between uses to help preserve the barrel and prepare it for future aging.
For more information on cleaning, view our Oak Barrel Care and Cleaning section.
Start Your Barrel-Aging Experience
Whether you're experimenting with your first small whiskey barrel, creating a personalized gift or building a larger home-aging setup, understanding the barrel is the first step.
Explore Thousand Oaks Barrel Co. new American white oak aging barrels from 1 to 20 liters.
CLICK HERE to Learn More about the TOBC Barrel Standard for Certified Aging Barrels
Choose the Right Barrel Size
Selecting the right barrel size depends on how much spirit you want to age, how often you plan to use the barrel, and how quickly you want to experience oak influence.
| Barrel Size | Best For | Why Choose This Size? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Liter | First-time users & small experiments | Our smallest barrel is ideal for trying barrel aging without committing a large amount of spirits. Its high wood-to-liquid ratio means oak influence can develop quickly, so taste frequently. |
| 2 Liter | Home whiskey aging | A great all-around size for home use. Large enough for a meaningful batch while still compact enough for a countertop, home bar, or man cave. |
| 3 Liter | Enthusiasts & medium batches | A nice step up when you want more capacity without taking up much additional space. Good for repeat aging projects and experimenting with different spirits. |
| 5 Liter | Serious enthusiasts & entertaining | Provides substantially more capacity while remaining manageable for home use. A strong choice for someone who plans to keep a barrel in regular rotation. |
| 10 Liter | Larger batches & frequent use | Ideal when you want to age a larger quantity at once. Well suited for experienced enthusiasts, entertaining, restaurants, bars, and specialty aging projects. |
| 20 Liter | Large home or commercial-style projects | Our largest small-format barrel. Best when capacity matters and you want a longer-term barrel-aging project without moving to a traditional full-size whiskey barrel. |
A Simple Way to Choose
- Want to experiment? — 1 Liter
- Best all-around home size? — 2 Liter
- Want a little more capacity? — 3 Liter
- Regular barrel-aging enthusiast? — 5 Liter
- Aging larger batches? — 10 Liter
- Maximum small-barrel capacity? — 20 Liter
Why Barrel Size Matters
Barrel size affects aging. Smaller barrels have proportionally more wood contact per volume of liquid, so oak influence can develop more quickly. Larger barrels generally provide a slower, more gradual interaction with the oak.
Regardless of barrel size, we recommend tasting periodically and aging to your preferred flavor rather than relying only on a set number of days.
