Get the Latest News from our Blog

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

categories

Featured image for “NEW Proprietary Research Whiskey Library: Europe”

12.11.24

NEW Proprietary Research Whiskey Library: Europe

Through our experimental barrel program, the whiskey library at the Kentucky Research Center has grown from a small collection of…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “Elevate Your Appetizer Game with Bourbon Glazed Bacon-Wrapped Dates”

11.26.24

Elevate Your Appetizer Game with Bourbon Glazed Bacon-Wrapped Dates

If you’re looking for a show-stopping, ridiculously easy appetizer that’s equal parts sweet, smoky, and savory, these Bourbon and Vanilla-Glazed…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Used Barrel Cooperage vs. Barrel Broker: Understanding the Difference”

10.23.24

Used Barrel Cooperage vs. Barrel Broker: Understanding the Difference

When acquiring barrels for aging spirits, winemaking, or craft beer projects, you may wonder if you should work with a…

Noah Steingraeber

Featured image for “European Oak – Exceptional Flavor, Exceptional Value”

09.25.24

European Oak – Exceptional Flavor, Exceptional Value

ISC sources oak logs from all over the world to make our world class spirit barrels. The most popular selections…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “A Barrel Journey: How New Riff Distilling Perfected Their Barrel Maturation”

09.11.24

A Barrel Journey: How New Riff Distilling Perfected Their Barrel Maturation

ISC has been dedicated to our customers’ success for over one hundred years.  As oak experts we partner with distillers…

Chad Spalding

Featured image for “Recipes for a Great Labor Day”

08.28.24

Recipes for a Great Labor Day

Labor Day calls for simple and classic fare, the kind of comfort food that brings people together through shared memories.…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Roll With Us! 2024 World Championship Barrel Relay”

08.06.24

Roll With Us! 2024 World Championship Barrel Relay

Bourbon Heritage Month is just a few weeks away, which means it is time to mark your calendars for the…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “A Lesson in Heat Transfer”

07.18.24

A Lesson in Heat Transfer

“Assume a spherical cow” Before I came to ISC to study spirit maturation, I was in the field of engineering.…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “Rediscover ISC Barrels’ Craftsmanship with New Tour Experiences”

07.09.24

Rediscover ISC Barrels’ Craftsmanship with New Tour Experiences

Visitors to Kentucky Cooperage have been mesmerized as they watch our skilled coopers shape and assemble individual oak staves, secure…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “New Oak Revolution in Rum”

06.19.24

New Oak Revolution in Rum

Similar to bourbon in the United States, the aging of spirits from Europe, the Caribbean and Indian Ocean have been…

Emmanuel Boudaric

Featured image for “First Barrel Experiment Rolls into the Boswell Family Warehouse”

06.06.24

First Barrel Experiment Rolls into the Boswell Family Warehouse

Over the next four years, students at the University of Kentucky will be able to monitor the progress of eight…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “Barreling Towards a Sustainable Future”

04.22.24

Barreling Towards a Sustainable Future

Earth Day is a reminder of the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability, encouraging people and businesses to take action…

Johnny Meckles

Featured image for “A New Journey Begins with a Barrel Fill”

03.20.24

A New Journey Begins with a Barrel Fill

The James B. Beam Institute at the University of Kentucky hosted their 5th annual industry conference last week.…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “ISC Domestic Cooperages Achieve Food Safety Management Certification”

02.28.24

ISC Domestic Cooperages Achieve Food Safety Management Certification

We are proud to announce that our domestic cooperages- Missouri Cooperage, Kentucky Cooperage and Commonwealth Cooperage- have all secured certification…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “The Importance of Education in Logging”

02.15.24

The Importance of Education in Logging

Timber harvesting operations require a high-level of trust between loggers, landowners, and others involved in the project…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “NEW Location: Rickman Mill”

02.01.24

NEW Location: Rickman Mill

We are expanding our domestic stave mill operations! Our new facility in Rickman, TN will allow us to increase our…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Oak 101: Seasoning and Its Impact on Flavor Development”

01.11.24

Oak 101: Seasoning and Its Impact on Flavor Development

Oak staves and heading should be seasoned for a minimum of 3-to-6-months, but the real differences begin to manifest when…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “Spice Up Your Holiday Charcuterie Board with Boozy Cranberries and Bourbon Pecans!”

12.14.23

Spice Up Your Holiday Charcuterie Board with Boozy Cranberries and Bourbon Pecans!

Spice Up Your Holiday Charcuterie Board with Boozy Cranberries and Bourbon PecansPut on your party hat and get ready for…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Char 4 – World’s Most Popular Barrel”

11.30.23

Char 4 – World’s Most Popular Barrel

Whiskey makers around the world have built their house profile brands on a classic- the char #4 whiskey barrel…

Chad Spalding

Featured image for “Esters: The Unsung Heroes of The Single Barrel”

11.16.23

Esters: The Unsung Heroes of The Single Barrel

Esters are fascinating little compounds in the sense that they are responsible for some of the more distinguishable and potent…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “Product Spotlight – Northwest Spirits Savor Spear”

10.26.23

Product Spotlight – Northwest Spirits Savor Spear

Finishing aged bourbon with oak alternatives has really gained a lot of acceptance in the spirits world in the last…

Amy LaHue

Featured image for “What’s New with Used Barrels”

10.11.23

What’s New with Used Barrels

Over the last few years, innovation in the used barrel category has pushed producers deeper into the landscape of varied…

Noah Steingraeber

Featured image for “2023 World Championship Barrel Relay”

09.28.23

2023 World Championship Barrel Relay

Congratulations to the 2023 World Championship Barrel Relay participants…

Jennifer Cissell

Featured image for “Whiskey and Golf: Inextricably Intertwined”

07.27.23

Whiskey and Golf: Inextricably Intertwined

Golf and whiskey go back a long way and have quite a few similarities…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “Bourbon and Salted Caramel Popcorn”

07.13.23

Bourbon and Salted Caramel Popcorn

Popcorn is a great snack. You know what makes it even better? Adding bourbon…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Update – Warehouse Experiment”

06.29.23

Update – Warehouse Experiment

Update on our 2019 warehouse maturation experiment…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “Product Spotlight – Cooper’s Select”

06.15.23

Product Spotlight – Cooper’s Select

Read about how ISC Barrels helped one company bring a new luxury American Single Malt Whiskey to life…

Chad Spalding

Featured image for “Bourbon and the Kentucky Derby”

06.01.23

Bourbon and the Kentucky Derby

The History of Whiskey and the Kentucky Derby…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “Climate Study”

05.04.23

Climate Study

Visit a distillery anywhere in the world and you’ll likely hear your tour guide talk about the influence climate has…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “A Perfect Bourbon Weekend in Louisville Kentucky”

03.23.23

A Perfect Bourbon Weekend in Louisville Kentucky

Over the past decade, Louisville has once again become a major epicenter for the distilling industry. Louisville’s famed Whiskey Row…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Bourbon Barbecue Chicken Tacos”

03.09.23

Bourbon Barbecue Chicken Tacos

A twist on your normal chicken tacos, this BBQ bourbon sauce will give a kick of flavor to any Taco…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Master Taster for People in a Hurry”

02.21.23

Master Taster for People in a Hurry

Before we ascend the throne to master taster, this painful test of honor needs to happen. This one is championed…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Gifts for the Whiskey Nerd”

12.15.22

Gifts for the Whiskey Nerd

So, you have a whiskey nerd in your family or circle of friends and it’s your turn to buy them…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “A Dash of Bourbon in Your Holiday Dishes”

12.08.22

A Dash of Bourbon in Your Holiday Dishes

Whether you’re dashing through the snow from one holiday party to the next or hosting your own Christmas party, it’s…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “The Lifecycle of an Experiment”

11.29.22

The Lifecycle of an Experiment

At Independent Stave Company, we feel it is necessary to be on the forefront of barrel innovation. We try our…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “Experimental Whiskey Library Expansion”

10.17.22

Experimental Whiskey Library Expansion

Have we been busy at the ISC Research Center? Indeed, we have! Our experimental barrel program has grown by leaps…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “An ISC Visit to Limestone Branch Distillery”

09.29.22

An ISC Visit to Limestone Branch Distillery

Chad Spalding recently stopped by Limestone Branch Distillery, which is located right down the road from our Kentucky Cooperage in…

Chad Spalding

Featured image for “Bourbon Filled Tailgate Appetizers”

09.15.22

Bourbon Filled Tailgate Appetizers

As the summer fades into fall, we’re welcoming a change of pace with back-to-school events, football, and fall parties. With…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “The Effects of Climate Change on White Oak”

08.23.22

The Effects of Climate Change on White Oak

The changing climate presents foresters and land managers with a variety of new challenges. The good news? With proper forest…

Dominic Stelzer

Featured image for “Sensory Evaluation for Aging Spirits”

08.12.22

Sensory Evaluation for Aging Spirits

Sensory evaluation is one of the best parts of my job. It is as enjoyable as it is interesting and…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “A Visit to Lux Row Distillery”

07.14.22

A Visit to Lux Row Distillery

It’s always a pleasure to visit customers at their distilleries. It’s fun to catch-up and take a look at their…

Chad Spalding

Featured image for “Extractive Concentration Changes During Maturation”

07.01.22

Extractive Concentration Changes During Maturation

Our last post about aging whiskey on different levels of a warehouse sparked some questions from our readers about how…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “Getting to Know the Irish Whiskey Market”

05.18.22

Getting to Know the Irish Whiskey Market

It’s no secret – the Irish Whiskey market is booming. It is being fueled by new customers in emerging markets…

Mark Quick

Featured image for “Warehouse Experiment”

05.06.22

Warehouse Experiment

Whiskey barrel warehouses come in a variety of different styles and configurations. Palletized, dunnage, traditional rick, and all kinds of…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “Single Malt Whisky Collection”

04.05.22

Single Malt Whisky Collection

Peat is one of the more interesting ingredients in the whiskey making process. The use of peat goes back centuries…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “Sustainable Forestry Initiative”

03.17.22

Sustainable Forestry Initiative

Our company was founded in 1912 and we have been fortunate to have had access to a steady supply of…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Bacon, Bourbon, and Pecan Brownies”

03.10.22

Bacon, Bourbon, and Pecan Brownies

Nothing says comfort food like a warm, gooey brownie. Add in bacon, bourbon, and pecans and you’ve elevated the traditional…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Peat Smoked Barrels”

02.24.22

Peat Smoked Barrels

Peat is one of the more interesting ingredients in the whiskey making process. The use of peat goes back centuries…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “Smoked Barrels”

01.20.22

Smoked Barrels

Two years ago, we began developing a new type of barrel to join our Small Batch Series called the Smoked…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Tis’ the Season for Eggnog”

12.14.21

Tis’ the Season for Eggnog

While by no means do I consider myself an eggnog connoisseur, or even an eggnog enthusiast, I’m going to give…

Chad Spalding

Featured image for “How to Add More Bourbon to the Thanksgiving Menu”

11.16.21

How to Add More Bourbon to the Thanksgiving Menu

If you’ve ever wondered how to add more bourbon into your Thanksgiving dishes, you’re in good company. We scoured the…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Finishing Tasting Kit”

11.09.21

Finishing Tasting Kit

Here is the the fourth video in our Tasting Kit Series. This video features Chad Spalding and Andrew Wiehebrink discussing…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Char Level and Double Barreling”

10.26.21

Char Level and Double Barreling

As coopers, we are often asked about the different char levels. Mainly, “Why are the higher char levels – Char…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Char Level Tasting Kit”

10.12.21

Char Level Tasting Kit

Today we bring you the third video in our Tasting Kit Series. This video features Chad Spalding and Andrew Wiehebrink…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Benefits and Techniques of Oak Alternative Finishing”

09.28.21

Benefits and Techniques of Oak Alternative Finishing

ISC Barrels’ sister company, Oak Solutions Group (OSG), and customer Left Bank Distilled Spirits gave a dual presentation on how…

Amy LaHue

Featured image for “American Single Malt Tasting Kit”

09.21.21

American Single Malt Tasting Kit

Today we bring you the second video in our Tasting Kit Series. This video features Chad Spalding and Andrew Wiehebrink…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Australian Whisky – A Growing Industry”

08.24.21

Australian Whisky – A Growing Industry

Australia has been producing whisky since the 1820’s, but the growth of craft distilleries didn’t begin until recently. Prior to…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Bourbon BBQ Sauce”

08.10.21

Bourbon BBQ Sauce

The secret is in the sauce. Well, at least it is for The Smokin’ Barrel Boys BBQ team, made up…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “An Experiment in Barrel Size”

07.20.21

An Experiment in Barrel Size

Guest Post by Nathen Gabriel, Balcones Distilling. In 2009, Balcones Distilling released the first Texas whisky since Prohibition. With no…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Guest Post: Industry Trends – Tour Experiences”

06.08.21

Guest Post: Industry Trends – Tour Experiences

We are excited to bring you a guest post on current industry trends from Bardstown Bourbon. Stay tuned – we…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Tours Now Open at Kentucky Cooperage”

05.27.21

Tours Now Open at Kentucky Cooperage

When Pat Daugherty was hired as our new Kentucky Cooperage Tour Guide in early 2020, the last thing he expected…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Small Batch Tasting Kit”

05.18.21

Small Batch Tasting Kit

Small Batch Tasting Kitswith Chad Spalding and Andrew WeihebrinkToday we are bringing you a brand new series featuring our ISC…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “French Made Barrels”

04.21.21

French Made Barrels

ISC Barrels is well known for our traditional spirit barrel, but we offer a multi-dimensional portfolio of products with the…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Master Craftsman Program”

03.25.21

Master Craftsman Program

At our Kentucky and Missouri cooperages, most production employees specialize in one aspect of the barrel making process such as…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Missouri Woodland Steward Program”

03.04.21

Missouri Woodland Steward Program

Supporting Missouri Woodland Owner EducationMissouri Woodland Steward is a natural resource education program through the University of Missouri College of…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Second Annual James B. Beam Institute Conference”

02.22.21

Second Annual James B. Beam Institute Conference

It has been a long year, but here we are preparing for the second annual James B. Beam Institute Industry…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “Tasting Kit Unboxing”

02.10.21

Tasting Kit Unboxing

ISC Barrels has recently developed a customizable tasting kit to help our current and future customers easily fine-tune their barrel…

Chad Spalding

Featured image for “Chocolate Caramel Bourbon Macarons”

01.21.21

Chocolate Caramel Bourbon Macarons

A light French cookie with a rich, decadent filling, this Chocolate Caramel Bourbon Macaron recipe is worth the effort. Macarons…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Spirits Selection Belgium”

01.05.21

Spirits Selection Belgium

2020 Spirits Selection – An International Spirits CompetitionAt our blog, most content is focused on barrels to age bourbon and…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Supporting Safety through the Volunteer Firefighter Initiative”

12.16.20

Supporting Safety through the Volunteer Firefighter Initiative

Our Volunteer Firefighter Initiative was launched in September with the mission to support fire departments who rely on volunteer firefighters…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Q&A with Angel’s Envy”

12.04.20

Q&A with Angel’s Envy

ISC Barrels Account Manager Chad Spalding recently caught up with the Distillery Manager at Angel’s Envy, Kyle Henderson.…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Q&A with High West Distillery”

11.12.20

Q&A with High West Distillery

ISC Barrels Account Manager Chad Spalding recently visited Isaac Winter, the Blending and Distilling Manager at High West Distillery.…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “A {Virtual} Chat with Max Hames of Sagamore Spirit”

10.15.20

A {Virtual} Chat with Max Hames of Sagamore Spirit

Back in June, ISC Barrels Account Manager Chad Spalding had to the chance to (virtually) catch up with the Sagamore…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Bourbon Marshmallows”

09.22.20

Bourbon Marshmallows

Ooey gooey goodness with a healthy measure of bourbon, that’s what these marshmallows are. This recipe comes from our colleague…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “A {Virtual} Chat with Murphy Quint of Cedar Ridge Distillery”

08.31.20

A {Virtual} Chat with Murphy Quint of Cedar Ridge Distillery

ISC Barrels Account Manager Chad Spalding recently (virtually) caught up with the Director of Operations at Cedar Ridge Distillery, Murphy…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Promoting the Long-term Sustainability of White Oak with the White Oak Initiative”

08.25.20

Promoting the Long-term Sustainability of White Oak with the White Oak Initiative

Sustainability is always top of mind at ISC Barrels. Continuity of log supply is essential to ensuring we can make…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Bourbon Apple-Pear Turnovers”

07.28.20

Bourbon Apple-Pear Turnovers

We’re excited to bring you a new series of posts with bourbon inspired recipes created and tested by our talented…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “An Interview with WhistlePig Whiskey”

07.14.20

An Interview with WhistlePig Whiskey

ISC Barrels Account Manager Chad Spalding recently (virtually) caught up with the Master Blender at WhistlePig, Pete Lynch. Listen to…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “An Interview with Rob Arnold of TX Whiskey”

06.30.20

An Interview with Rob Arnold of TX Whiskey

An Interview with Rob Arnold of TX WhiskeyISC Barrels Account Manager Chad Spalding recently (virtually) caught up with the Master…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “A Tour of the ISC Research Center”

06.03.20

A Tour of the ISC Research Center

Join Andrew Wiehebrink, Director of Spirits Research and Innovation, on a video tour of our ISC Research Center in Lebanon,…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Bespoke Used Barrels”

05.05.20

Bespoke Used Barrels

We all like to be different, to stand out amongst the crowd and be noticed. This sentiment holds true for…

Noah Steingraeber

Featured image for “A Peek at Our ACSA Presentation on Blending”

04.09.20

A Peek at Our ACSA Presentation on Blending

If you read the recent blog post about the Small Batch Toasted Barrels, you knew I was scheduled to conduct…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Forest Management”

03.12.20

Forest Management

Besides the differences in what an oak species can impart to the spirit in flavor, there are vast differences in…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Crafting Mash Tun Fermentation Barrels for George Washington’s Distillery at Mount Vernon”

03.03.20

Crafting Mash Tun Fermentation Barrels for George Washington’s Distillery at Mount Vernon

Crafting Mash Tun Fermentation Barrels for George Washington’s Distillery at Mount VernonThe rich history of bourbon is part of what…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Q&A with Four Roses Master Distiller”

02.10.20

Q&A with Four Roses Master Distiller

A few months ago Chad visited Four Roses and had the chance to chat with Brent Elliott, Master Distiller. Brent…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Introducing Our Small Batch Toasted Barrels”

12.16.19

Introducing Our Small Batch Toasted Barrels

In 2019, ISC Barrels officially rolled out four toasted barrels in our Small Batch Series. Named after the characteristics they…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Q&A with Six Mile Creek”

12.05.19

Q&A with Six Mile Creek

Chad recently traveled to Pleasureville, KY to sit down with Ken Pierce, Master Distiller at Six Mile Creek Distillery for…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Q&A with Still 630”

11.21.19

Q&A with Still 630

While in Missouri recently Chad had the opportunity to visit Dave Weglarz at Still 630 in St. Louis. During his…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “New Kentucky Cooperage Visitor Center”

11.11.19

New Kentucky Cooperage Visitor Center

New Visitor Center Now Open at Kentucky Cooperage We have been hard at work the past few months improving our…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Q&A with O.Z. Tyler Distillery”

11.01.19

Q&A with O.Z. Tyler Distillery

Chad Spalding, ISC Barrels Account Manager, sits down for another Q&A with a Master Distiller. This time he visited Jacob…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Q&A with Wood Hat Spirits”

10.11.19

Q&A with Wood Hat Spirits

ISC Barrel Account Manager, Chad Spalding, recently visited Missouri and talked with Wood Hat Spirits’ Master Distiller Gary Hinegardner.…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Wave Stave Experiment Results”

09.23.19

Wave Stave Experiment Results

A little over four years ago, we began to experiment with a barrel now known as our Wave Stave barrel;…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “Using Oak Alternatives in Spirits”

08.15.19

Using Oak Alternatives in Spirits

When used in conjunction with barrel aging, oak alternatives are a natural way to use 100% oak to access a…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Bourbon Barrel Aged Wines”

07.01.19

Bourbon Barrel Aged Wines

Most of you who follow the ISC Barrels blog post are familiar with the use of new charred oak barrels…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Acreage Purchased in Northern Tennessee”

05.28.19

Acreage Purchased in Northern Tennessee

Independent Stave Company (parent company of ISC Barrels) recently purchased 3,000 acres of land in northern Tennessee. The land will…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Q&A with Preservation Distillery”

05.02.19

Q&A with Preservation Distillery

Account Manager Chad Spalding interviews Head Distiller Matthew Jackson from Preservation Distillery [VIDEO]…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Product Profile: Small Batch Spiral Cut Barrel”

03.05.19

Product Profile: Small Batch Spiral Cut Barrel

After charring, we follow a proprietary process to cut spirals throughout the inside of the barrel, significantly increasing the surface…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Introducing the High Proof Series from Oak Solutions Group”

02.12.19

Introducing the High Proof Series from Oak Solutions Group

The spirits industry is on fire. Large distilleries are expanding, the craft spirits industry continues to grow at a rapid…

Amy LaHue

Featured image for “Bourbon Pursuit Podcast Episode”

02.08.19

Bourbon Pursuit Podcast Episode

In October Independent Stave Company CEO Brad Boswell sat down at Kentucky Cooperage with the guys of Bourbon Pursuit Podcast…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “2018 Kentucky Cooperage Tour Stats”

01.22.19

2018 Kentucky Cooperage Tour Stats

At Kentucky Cooperage we enjoy showing people how we craft barrels for the World’s Finest Spirits. Thank you to all…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “From Forest to Barrel: Toasting”

12.18.18

From Forest to Barrel: Toasting

All ISC barrels that require a toast profile to be applied before charring are crafted at our Missouri Cooperage located…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Studying Maturation Dynamics with our Environmental Chamber”

12.07.18

Studying Maturation Dynamics with our Environmental Chamber

At Kentucky Research Center, most of our efforts are geared towards sensory analysis, customer product development and flavor discovery. However,…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “International Spirit Spotlight: Rhum”

11.28.18

International Spirit Spotlight: Rhum

Up next in our International Spirits category, we are excited to bring you a post on Rhum. If you missed…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “2018 Kentucky Bourbon Festival”

10.01.18

2018 Kentucky Bourbon Festival

The Independent Stave Company team had a great time at the 2018 Kentucky Bourbon Festival. Friday night we hosted our…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Q&A with Chattanooga Whiskey”

09.25.18

Q&A with Chattanooga Whiskey

ISC Barrel Account Manager, Chad Spalding, recently visited Tennessee and talked with Grant McCracken, Chattanooga Whiskey Master Distiller.…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “From Forest to Barrel: Barrel Assembly”

09.07.18

From Forest to Barrel: Barrel Assembly

As barrels exit the steam tunnel they move to the “windlass” where the top of the raised barrel is squeezed…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Partnering with American Forests”

08.29.18

Partnering with American Forests

Independent Stave Company and American Forests have launched a one of-its-kind Oak Restoration Fund to invest in key projects that…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Getting an Age-ucation at Moonshine U”

06.25.18

Getting an Age-ucation at Moonshine U

Earlier this summer, we successfully completed our inaugural maturation class at Moonshine University. The new class, entitled “Age-ucation” was a…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “Q&A Prichard’s Distillery”

06.25.18

Q&A Prichard’s Distillery

ISC Barrel Account Manager, Chad Spalding, recently visited Kelso, Tennessee and talked with Phil Prichard, Prichard’s Distillery Master Distiller.…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Product Profile: Finishing Products”

06.13.18

Product Profile: Finishing Products

Whether you’re barrel aging and looking for another oak component or working with a spirit that needs a different oak…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Barrels + Beer”

05.31.18

Barrels + Beer

I am always surprised how many people are unaware of the role that oak barrels play in the craft beer…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “From Forest to Barrel: Stave Finishing”

05.03.18

From Forest to Barrel: Stave Finishing

This is the fourth blog post in our series, “From Forest to Barrel”. Catch up by reading the last post.…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Q&A Woodinville Whiskey”

04.26.18

Q&A Woodinville Whiskey

Q&A: Woodinville Whiskey Co-Owner & Head Distiller Brett CarlileISC Barrel Account Manager, Chad Spalding, recently visited Woodinville, Washington and talked…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “The Role of Oxygenation in Barrel Aged Spirits Part II”

04.16.18

The Role of Oxygenation in Barrel Aged Spirits Part II

In Oxygenation Part I, we discussed different variables that influence the rate of oxygenation during the maturation period. In this…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “ISC Barrels Attends 2018 American Craft Spirits Association Convention”

03.15.18

ISC Barrels Attends 2018 American Craft Spirits Association Convention

From March 4-6 our ISC Barrels team visited the city of Pittsburgh for the fifth annual American Craft Spirits Association…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “International Spirit Spotlight: Tequila”

02.28.18

International Spirit Spotlight: Tequila

At ISC Barrels we are proud to have our casks in distilleries around the world. While many barrels reside in…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Product Profile: Small Batch Wave Stave Barrel”

02.07.18

Product Profile: Small Batch Wave Stave Barrel

Offered in limited quantities, our Small Batch barrels combine innovation and technology to bring out the best in your spirits.…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Oxygenation Part 1”

01.30.18

Oxygenation Part 1

Flavor development in barrel aged spirits is a complex process. As coopers, our focus is on oak extractives and their…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from ISC Barrels”

12.21.17

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from ISC Barrels

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our team!…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Product Profile: Cooper’s Reserve Barrel”

11.28.17

Product Profile: Cooper’s Reserve Barrel

Our Cooper’s Reserve barrel brings creativity to the forefront, allowing distillers to create a fully customized barrel tailored to their…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Q&A: Wilderness Trail Distillery”

11.16.17

Q&A: Wilderness Trail Distillery

ISC Barrel Account Manager, Chad Spalding, recently sat down with the Wilderness Trail Distillery Owners Shane Baker and Pat Heist.…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “From Forest to Barrel: Stave Mill”

11.07.17

From Forest to Barrel: Stave Mill

At our six domestic company-owned stave mills, employees take the high-quality white oak logs and process them into rough staves…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Sensory Panel Introduction”

10.24.17

Sensory Panel Introduction

Sensory analysis is a critical aspect of research and development at ISC. Each year we lay down new experimental barrels…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Product Profile: Classic Barrel”

10.10.17

Product Profile: Classic Barrel

Our Classic barrel has been around for decades, earning it a reputation as the go-to barrel for distillers around the…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “2017 Kentucky Bourbon Festival World Championship Bourbon Barrel Relays”

09.19.17

2017 Kentucky Bourbon Festival World Championship Bourbon Barrel Relays

ISC Barrels is proud to sponsor and judge the long tradition of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival World Championship Bourbon Barrel…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Missouri Forest Products Association’s Logging School”

09.13.17

Missouri Forest Products Association’s Logging School

At ISC, we take sustainability and growth of our white oak resource seriously. We support the Missouri Forest Products Association…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Q&A with Bardstown Bourbon Company Master Distiller Steve Nally”

09.06.17

Q&A with Bardstown Bourbon Company Master Distiller Steve Nally

ISC Barrel Account Manager, Chad Spalding, recently sat down with the Master Distiller at Bardstown Bourbon Company, Steve Nally.…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “From Forest to Barrel: The Log Yard”

08.24.17

From Forest to Barrel: The Log Yard

After logs are harvested in the forest, loggers transport their loads to one of our 11 domestic log yards for…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Product Profile: Cooper’s Select”

08.07.17

Product Profile: Cooper’s Select

Product Profile: Cooper’s SelectOur Cooper’s Select barrel was developed to allow distillers the opportunity to explore additional flavor characteristics for…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “From Forest to Barrel: Harvesting”

07.20.17

From Forest to Barrel: Harvesting

Before an ISC Barrel is even a twinkle in our coopers’ eyes, the process of sourcing the best American white…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “ISC Team from Around the World Visits New Research Center”

06.27.17

ISC Team from Around the World Visits New Research Center

In mid-April, ISC team members from around the world convened at our new Research Center located in Lebanon, Kentucky. Attendees…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Q&A: Limestone Branch Distillery Co-Founder and Distiller Steve Beam”

06.07.17

Q&A: Limestone Branch Distillery Co-Founder and Distiller Steve Beam

ISC Barrel Account Manager, Chad Spalding, recently sat down with the Co-founder and Distiller of Limestone Branch Distillery, Steve Beam.…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Barrel Profiling – Part II”

05.25.17

Barrel Profiling – Part II

In Barrel Profiling – Part 1, we touched on a few topics relating to the heat treatment of oak barrels.…

Andrew Wiehebrink

Featured image for “Barrel Profiling – Part I”

04.12.17

Barrel Profiling – Part I

Historically, the benefits of aging spirits in charred barrels was discovered by accident. Intense heat was used in both barrel…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Oak Species for Cooperage”

03.30.17

Oak Species for Cooperage

Oak is an excellent choice for crafting spirits barrels. Why? It contributes a wide variety of desirable flavors, it is…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Q&A: Maker’s Mark Master Distiller Greg Davis”

03.07.17

Q&A: Maker’s Mark Master Distiller Greg Davis

ISC Barrel Account Manager, Chad Spalding, recently sat down with the Master Distiller at Maker’s Mark, Greg Davis.…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Quality Assurance”

02.28.17

Quality Assurance

In every facet of our craft, coopering high-quality oak barrels is the ultimate goal. Quality assurance starts in the log…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Q&A: Wild Turkey Master Distiller Eddie Russell”

02.03.17

Q&A: Wild Turkey Master Distiller Eddie Russell

ISC Barrel Account Manager, Chad Spalding, recently sat down with one of Wild Turkey’s Master Distillers – Eddie Russell.…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “A Formula for Maturation – by Andrew W.”

01.18.17

A Formula for Maturation – by Andrew W.

The thing about crafting good whiskey is it takes a long time – years aging in oak barrels – before…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Q&A: Michter’s Master Distiller Pamela Heilmann”

01.04.17

Q&A: Michter’s Master Distiller Pamela Heilmann

A few weeks ago, ISC Barrel Account Manager Chad Spalding had the opportunity to sit down and have a chat…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Brad Boswell Interviewed on The Bourbon Show Podcast”

12.13.16

Brad Boswell Interviewed on The Bourbon Show Podcast

On December 1, The Bourbon Show podcast aired an episode with an interview from our very own Brad Boswell.…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Construction Begins on ISC Research Center”

11.29.16

Construction Begins on ISC Research Center

Independent Stave Company (ISC) is pleased to announce the construction of a research center dedicated to oak innovation and experimentation…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Benton Wood Products to Open in Western Kentucky”

10.31.16

Benton Wood Products to Open in Western Kentucky

In September, 20 employees, local and state officials, loggers, community members, and media representatives gathered at the site of the…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Rooted in Family and Tradition”

09.28.16

Rooted in Family and Tradition

As a fourth generation family cooperage company, our roots run deep. For over 100 years ISC has grown by focusing…

ISC Barrels

Featured image for “Crafting Bourbon Barrels – Video”

09.19.16

Crafting Bourbon Barrels – Video

ISC is proud to craft premium bourbon barrels to age America’s Great Spirit. Learn how our barrels are made in…

ISC Barrels