Red Head Barrels — Local services in Wylie

4 and 3/4 stars actually. Five might look fake to some folks, so I chose four a bit arbitrarily.

Yep, I'd buy again. Not just an idle thought - I have been through three curing cycles with barrels from two sources - Red Head Barrels and an un-named Amazon source - calling them noname now. Both are two liter barrels. Had them both for almost two months. (1 – 10 day batch, seasoning with rye whiskey; 1 – 19 day batch, curing a Vieux Carre cocktail mix; and now - 1 -34 day batch; curing two types of over-proof artisanal rums)

As promised, Red Head leaked, slightly, BUT, their support was excellent and we got them sealed and functional in no time. Noname didn't leak, however, their support was nonexistent when it came to answering other questions (char level, source, usage, etc.) - four emails, and no answers. Zero. Zero. Zero. Made me wonder if I had the address correct. So, I tested it as a perspective buyer this time - and they answered. What does that tell you?

Red Head's barrel had a more aromatic odor to it when I smelled the interior. Noname was pretty non-existent aroma wise, ergo, the char/supplier questions.

Batches are coming out more distinctively effected from the Red Head barrel. Enjoying the results. When I am ready for another barrel, I will buy from them again.

Noname results are very negligible. Hardly different from the source ingredients in comparison tastings. (I am keeping various stage samples for each batch.)

Red Head never flinched in their support, whether for questions, needed materials, advice, and so on. First class operation. The proof is definitely in the pudding.

I thought at first that I might consider buying from noname again after experiencing no leaks, but I have reversed field after that first week. Lack of support and disappointing results have changed my mind. Nice looking non-functional dust catcher though. (kind of haha, but actually not too funny!)

Keep it...

Copied from an email I sent them after the best service I could have possibly been given: Just want to say thank you so much for everything and I don’t want to make that an understatement. Your whole company is incredible and I just kind of came into this from my girlfriend giving me this as a gift. What was first cool, turned into incredibly interesting, and then above and beyond any expectations I could have had. I seem to be someone that worries about things a little too much and over thinks things... Because of how awesome this was, I thought I somehow broke it or possibly was about to dry it out before I could make it work again. Not only were u helpful online, and by email, but your phone help gave me 100% assurance to my own faults. The lady helped me with every little worry I had and took the time to explain everything in great detail. I was assured that I did not break the barrel nor could it dry out/ mold in the couple days I was changing the liquor out, so that was a great weight off my shoulders with how easy everything turned out to be. Aside from that, you sent me off another replacement spigot/bung (x2) as well as wax which helped the issue completely. I was more than happy to purchase anything I needed just to show you how much I appreciate your company, but you guys were so nice to send something off the moment you sent a message back. I can’t tell you how appreciative I am of the support with your product. The quality itself, speaks for itself but I hope to let everyone know how great your company is. This is such a fun thing to talk about anyways and I always bring up that it’s like a time machine for your liquor. I have nothing but the best things to say about you guys and no matter how many times I’d say thank you, it wouldn’t be enough. Can’t wait to see where this hobbie takes me with...

Ordered a 5 liter oak barrel, and a 10 liter oak barrel. Both arrived fast, in very good condition, and I was able to cure them within a day, put spirits in them, and start the aging process going. Super exciting! I didn't contact customer service with a problem, just a thank you and got an immediate response back. Seem like a great company, and their emails have some levity to them, which is nice too. I just ordered 3 additional 3-liter barrels that I plan on prepping up, and putting spirits in to age so I can give them to a few of my friends as gifts. I wish I would have thought to do this years ago. What a great idea. I look forward to trying the whiskey in a couple more weeks, and then months to see the changes to the flavors and profile. Thank you Red...