SPIRIT BARRELS
MADE FROM
ASH

Ash wood (Fraxinus excelsior), traditionally used in furniture and toolmaking, is a rare but intriguing choice for spirit maturation. Although not widely used in barrel aging, ash offers unique sensory properties that make it ideal for experimental cask aging of whisky, brandy, rum, or fruit brandies. Ash barrels are known for their light, fresh, and well-balanced aroma profile – perfect for delicate, structured spirits with a clean character.

CHARACTERISTICS OF ASH WOOD
Ash is a dense and durable wood with medium porosity, allowing a gentle exchange between spirit and wood and a slow, measured aroma release.

LOW TANNIN CONTENT
Compared to oak or chestnut, ash contains fewer tannins, resulting in smooth, non-astringent flavors that never overpower the spirit.

MILD AROMATIC PROFILE – WITH LASTING FRESHNESS
Ash is considered an aromatically subtle wood, yet it imparts fresh, clean, slightly nutty-sweet notes that enhance light or fruity distillates.

AROMATIC INFLUENCES OF ASH WOOD
Ash casks develop refined and balanced flavor profiles, defined by clarity, freshness, and restraint.

WOODY AND SPICY NOTES
I Subtle impressions of light wood, hay, and freshly cut timber
I Accents of white pepper, nutmeg, and cinnamon

SUBTLE SWEETNESS
I Delicate traces of honey, soft caramel, or malt
I Always harmoniously integrated and never dominant

NUTTY AND FLORAL NUANCES
I Hints of almond, hazelnut, and white blossoms
I Depending on toasting level, herbal-fresh notes may also appear

FRESHNESS AND CLARITY
I Ash provides a unique “clean wood freshness”, ideal for refined and transparent spirit profiles

TYPICAL FLAVORS IN SPIRITS AGED IN ASH WOOD CASKS
I Woody: Light wood, hay, fresh oak
I Spicy: White pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon
I Sweet: Light honey, malt, mild caramel
I Nutty: Almond, hazelnut
I Floral: White flowers, subtle herbs

MATURATION TIME & TOASTING: IMPACT ON AROMA

AGEING DURATION
Due to ash wood’s moderate porosity, it supports both short and long maturation periods. With extended aging, the delicate wood and spice notes integrate more deeply, enhancing balance.

TOASTING & CHARRING EFFECTS
I Light Toast: Emphasizes fresh and floral notes
I Medium Toast: Enhances sweet and nutty tones with mild spice
I Heavy Toast: Brings out roasted aromas like toasted nuts, caramel, and light smoke

COMPARISON TO OTHER CASK WOODS

ASH VS. OAK
I Less tannic and sweet than oak
I Delivers milder, fresher wood notes and a more balanced spice profile

ASH VS. CHERRY WOOD
I Cherry offers more fruit and marzipan, while ash is cleaner and spicier

ASH VS. CHESTNUT
I Chestnut is more tannic and powerful, ash is gentler and more refined

USE OF ASH WOOD IN SPIRIT MATURATION
Ash barrels are ideal for producers aiming for a light, elegant, and balanced aroma profile:

I Whisky: Enhances subtle oak and spice in lighter single malts
I Brandy: Highlights clarity, freshness, and gentle sweetness
I Rum: Balances sweetness without masking it – ideal for a clean finish
I Fruit Brandies: Supports natural fruit notes in apple or pear distillates

CONCLUSION
Ash wood barrels offer a mild, clean, and finely structured flavor profile, making them a perfect choice for subtle, refined spirits. With gentle hints of wood, spice, and sweetness, ash is an excellent alternative to more intense barrel woods – ideal for distilleries seeking elegance, balance, and aromatic finesse.

PRODUCTION
France/Italy/Slovenia

WOOD
Slovenia/Hungary

SIZES
40 l - 600 l

TOASTING
Light/Medium/Medium+/Heavy

In addition to our ash wood barrels, OAKBARRELS.SHOP offers a wide range of high-quality spirit barrels made from unique and rare wood types. These exceptional alternatives to classic oak provide exciting flavor profiles for aging spirits. Whether floral, fruity, spicy, or exotic – our barrels allow for precise, customized maturation of your distillates.

OUR SELECTION OF SPECIALTY WOODS
We offer spirit barrels made from the following premium oak and specialty wood types:

I French Limousin Oak – classic, spicy, with elegant tannin structure
I American White Oak – sweet and vanilla-rich, ideal for whisky & bourbon
I Carpathian Oak – fresh and fruity with moderate tannin content
I Spanish Oak – bold and spicy, with sweet dried fruit notes
I Hungarian Oak – aromatic, slightly smoky, rich in complexity
I Japanese Mizunara Oak – exotic and complex, with sandalwood and coconut aromas
I Danish Oak – forest-like, spicy, earthy – with a Nordic character
I Acacia (Robinia) – floral and fruity, with gentle natural sweetness
I Chestnut – sweet, nutty, and fruity with stronger tannins
I Cherry Wood – almond-like and floral, with soft fruity sweetness
I Mulberry Wood – intensely fruity, sweet, and aromatic

Each wood type brings its own distinctive personality and makes it possible to craft truly unique barrel-aged profiles. Ideal for maturing whisky, rum, brandy, aquavit, or fruit brandies.

EXCLUSIVE: BOURBON BARRELS FROM SPEYSIDE BOURBON COOPERAGE (USA)
Available only at OAKBARRELS.SHOP: new charred bourbon barrels made from American white oak, directly sourced from the renowned Speyside Bourbon Cooperage in Kentucky. These heavily charred casks are perfect for whisky, rum, tequila, and other high-end spirits that benefit from classic bourbon flavors like vanilla, caramel, and coconut.

USED OAK BARRELS WITH AROMATIC HISTORY
In our used barrel category, you’ll find a wide range of previously filled oak barrels – formerly used for red wine, white wine, port, dessert wine, or spirits. These seasoned casks deliver complex secondary aromas, enriching your distillate with greater depth, variety, and character.
Whether you're pursuing classic oak aging or experimenting with alternative wood species, OAKBARRELS.SHOP provides the ideal barrel for every spirit and every ambition. Discover the full world of fine wood cask maturation – and unlock your spirit's full potential.