Logo

Earthen Floors and Single Barrels: A Look at Barrelhouse Traditions

How producers design their barrel storage has a major impact on how whiskey ages—and, whether dunnage or rickhouse, one method’s drawback can be another’s strength.

Subscriber
Courtesy Kilchoman Distillery
Courtesy Kilchoman Distillery

The type of warehouse a distiller uses is important no matter where the distillery lies on a map. Yet certain regions have developed a preference for one style of warehouse over another, and some have let the realities of the warehouse inform their industry.

Let’s look at the signature traits of Scottish-style dunnage warehouses and American-style rickhouses, then we’ll consider how something viewed as a fault in one tradition can become a distinctive strength in another.

This article requires a subscription

Subscribe today to continue reading and unlock unlimited access to our premium brewing content.

What you get with your subscription

3,000+ exclusive articles
700+ tested recipes
Digital magazine issues
100+ brewing video courses
Expert brewing guides
Cancel anytime
Already a subscriber?

Plans start at $4.99/month • 30-day guarantee

Trusted by thousands of craft beer enthusiasts and brewers worldwide