Craft Meets Scale: How Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ireland Blends Tradition and Innovation
By Mark Quick, Managing Sales Director, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ireland
Since opening in 2021, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ireland (KBBI) has expanded its facilities and equipment to increase capacity and efficiency so that we deliver high-quality barrels and cooperage services at scale.
But scaling isn’t just about volume- it’s about evolving with customers and continuously refining our processes to craft quality bourbon barrels at scale, with consistency, traceability and flavor impact across a range of cask types. We're even on target to achieve ISO 14001 certification by the end of the year.
Precision Seasoning
As part of this evolution, our seasoned barrel program has also grown. KBBI has long supplied 500L solera cellar butts through our bodega partner in Jerez, but as customer demand for seasoned barrels continues to grow, we now offer a limited stock of Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez seasoned casks that are fully traceable.
Produced exclusively by Independent Stave Company, these barrels move through two dedicated vineyard partners to our seasoning bodegas in Spain under strict quality control, with full custody maintained between.
And for customers with something specific in mind, we also offer seasoning by request, with other cask types and fortified wines.
KBBI Seasoning Bodega
Forest to Flavor
Our innovation continues- whether you're releasing a limited edition, a single cask or developing a new product line- our sourcing team is constantly exploring new flavor possibilities. We’ve provided over 100 different cask types and offer flavor direction, benchtop trials, and tasting analysis through our proprietary research whiskey library so our customers can rely on us for unique, high-quality casks. A couple recent and notable collaborations include:
- White Hag Brewery turned to us for something bold and we delivered an Orange Bitters cask for their Oatmeal Imperial Stout. The flavor? Next level.
- Boann Distillery worked with us to transform an ancient Irish oak tree (felled by Storm Elin) into casks, now air-drying and soon to become some of the rarest Irish whiskey vessels ever made.
Malt Whisky Oak Barrels
Value Focused Malt Whisky Oak Barrels
For our malt whisky producers, we’ve broadened our refill barrel supply to keep pace with rising global demand. These casks are relatively young for the refill market yet deliver delicious oak character- perfect for spirit-forward styles, peated whiskies, grain distillates, and distillers in warmer climates.
All refill casks go through rigorous ISO 9001:2015 certified testing for aroma, wood quality, and pressure.
Customization is also available with options like top fill, bilge fill, or the ability to replace one head with new American oak to increase extractive potential so you get the best out of each barrel.
STR Barrels
With customers in mind, we recently opened a dedicated STR (shave, toast, rechar) plant. Every cask in the STR program is made by Independent Stave Company and traced from tree to customer.
Here’s how it works:
- Casks are shaved using blades only—never wire-brushed—for better oak exposure.
- Both heads are shaved and charred separately before being reassembled.
- Natural rush grass is used to flag head joints, and hoops are driven by our coopers.
- Every barrel is QA tested and ISO 9001:2015 certified.
KBBI Head Char
STR barrels are offered as American Oak barrels in 200L, 225L, and 240L, and French Oak in 225L and 240L, with a full range of char levels to suit your profile.
Want to discuss new ideas and used barrels? Contact Mark Quick mquick@kentuckybourbonbarrel.com.
Mark Quick
Managing Director, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ireland
Kentucky Bourbon Barrel is a full-service used barrel cooperage and it is a subsidiary of Independent Stave Company. Their locations in Kentucky and Ireland specialize in sourcing, refurbishing, and reselling high-quality used barrels. Their location in the heart of Kentucky allows them to acquire freshly dumped bourbon barrels, while their international network allows them to source used barrels from a variety of other spirits. Learn more at www.kentuckybourbonbarrel.com.