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Whisky barrels may often be underappreciated in comparison with the value of their delicious contents, but there is a lot more involved in the process of making them than meets the eye.

Of course, whisky lovers and distillers believe that it is what is inside that counts, however, the barrels themselves play a very important role in affecting the aroma and taste of the much sought-after drink.

The manufacturing process is as fascinating as it is crucial to the end product. Since our barrel planters are proving so popular, we thought we would give you a rundown of how the original wood used to craft the barrels eventually goes on to reclaim its rightful place in the garden.

Building the barrel

Whisky barrels are traditionally made from European or American white oak trees, which are only cut down after reaching a certain maturity. Coopers – the art of whisky barrel crafting is also known as coopering – cut the timber into long staves which are then gently steamed or heated so they can be bent into shape.

A standard cask is usually formed with 32 staves plus another 15 to seal the ends. The staves are held together tightly by the metal bands which surround the outside of the barrels and no varnish or paint is used in order to enable the wood to breathe. This is a vital detail in the barrel and whisky making process, as it allows the spirit to soak into the wood, releasing key flavours like vanilla, caramel or cinnamon.

The charring process

The inside of each barrel is then lightly burned to further aid the flavouring process. Charring the staves breaks up the structure of the oak, allowing the liquid to seep into the material easier and produce exciting and varied tastes. The length of time and intensity of the heat at this firing stage impacts on the final flavours in the whisky, with barrels generally being charred for up to one minute.

From distillery to garden

Barrels can be used and reused with new lots of whisky, however, the flavours from the oak diminish each time. Our whisky barrels are sourced from a local distillery and repurposed to give them a new lease of life in the garden. Various shapes and sizes can be halved, lightly sanded and then stained to make perfect planters for your flowers or small trees. While they may be missing their Scotch goodness, the original quality is retained with the rustic and authentic look of the reclaimed oak.

You can view the full range of barrel products in our online shop.

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Perched on the North bank of the River Clyde and towering above the business units which now occupy the surrounding area, the Barclay Curle crane represents one of the few remnants of the Clyde’s shipbuilding past at its peak.

The yard was initially founded by Robert Barclay in 1818 in Stobcross before moving down the river to Whiteinch in 1876 to incorporate larger engineering works.

Not long after the turn of the century, the yard was acquired by Swan Hunter and built several Insect-class gunboats for the Royal Navy during the First World War.

It was in 1920 that the large cantilever, or Titan, crane was erected. Designed by Sir William Arrol & Co. – also responsible for the iconic Forth and Tay bridges – the Barclay Curle crane was one of 42 Titan’s originally built around the world, seven of which were in Scotland and five located on the Clyde.

Nowadays, just four Titan’s remain: at Finnieston, Clydebank, Greenock and of course Whiteinch. Finnieston is the largest of the four and was, in fact, the biggest crane in Europe when it was constructed in 1931. It still stands today as an important representation of Glasgow’s industrial past and one of the most instantly recognisable features of the city’s skyline.

Since ceasing shipbuilding in 1968, the Clydeholm shipyard became an industrial site in the mid-1980s and, along with ourselves, Clydeforth Engineering and Contractors Ltd., Scottish Opera, Glasgow City Bus and Amerex Steel now trade out of the complex.

At 150ft-high, the Barclay Curle crane is an imposing yet magnificent structure often overlooked because of its decaying facade, but it acts as a reminder of what can be achieved through great feats of design, engineering and construction.

As a monument to the skilled labour of our predecessors, the crane is as fine an inspiration as any for our woodworkers and those carrying on handcrafted work.

Why don’t you come down to the South Street premises and take a look for yourself?

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