Whiskey Barrel Accessories & Supplies
We sell the barrels. This is the other stuff we tell customers to grab when they ask what else they need: drill bits, soil, spigots, pumps, and a few things to keep a barrel looking good.
As an Amazon Associate, Island Barrel Company earns from qualifying purchases. It does not change the price you pay, and we only list gear that makes sense for a real bourbon barrel.
Barrel Planter Supplies
A half bourbon barrel holds about 100 litres of soil. Get the drainage and soil right on day one and it'll look good for ten years.
For our Half Whiskey Barrel and Planter Barrel Package · Guide: What to Put in the Bottom of a Whiskey Barrel Planter, How to Turn a Whiskey Barrel into a Garden Planter
Bosch Daredevil spade bit set (13 pc)
Barrel bottoms are 1" thick white oak. A sharp 3/4" or 1" spade bit drills clean drainage holes without splitting the staves.
Tip: Drill 5 or 6 holes spread across the bottom, not one big hole in the middle.
Check price on Amazon.ca(opens in a new tab, affiliate link)All-purpose potting mix
Garden soil compacts and drowns roots in a container. A bagged potting mix stays light and drains well through wet coastal winters.
Tip: Plan on about 100 litres for a half barrel filled to the top, or 60 to 70 litres if you use filler in the bottom.
Check price on Amazon.ca(opens in a new tab, affiliate link)Planter pot lifters / feet
Lifting the barrel an inch off the patio lets the bottom dry out between rains. It's the easiest way to make a barrel last longer.
Check price on Amazon.ca(opens in a new tab, affiliate link)Water Feature & Mini Pond
Once a barrel dries out it won't hold water for long, so a barrel pond needs a pond liner and a small pump. This pump is a good size for a half barrel.
For our Half Whiskey Barrel
VIVOSUN submersible fountain pump
If you've got a GFCI outdoor outlet, a small plug-in pump keeps the water moving. Moving water keeps mosquitoes away, too.
Tip: Line the barrel first. A dried-out barrel won't hold water for long on its own.
Check price on Amazon.ca(opens in a new tab, affiliate link)Rain Barrel Conversion
A full 53-gallon bourbon barrel holds about 200 litres of rainwater. That goes a long way once the summer watering restrictions hit. You need a spigot, a way to get water in, and a solid, level base 12 to 18" off the ground.
For our Full Whiskey Barrel · Guide: How to Turn a Whiskey Barrel into a Rain Barrel
Rain barrel spigot with bulkhead fitting
A bulkhead fitting clamps through the stave with gaskets on both sides, so it seals on a curved barrel where a plain threaded tap will weep.
Tip: Install it 3 to 4" above the bottom so sediment stays in the barrel.
Check price on Amazon.ca(opens in a new tab, affiliate link)Downspout diverter kit
Sends rain into the barrel until it's full, then back down the downspout. No overflow puddle against your foundation.
Check price on Amazon.ca(opens in a new tab, affiliate link)Home Aging
Most people aging spirits at home start with a 1 to 5 litre barrel, not a 200 litre one. If you have one of our full barrels, a spare bung is worth having on hand.
For our Full Whiskey Barrel · Guide: Mini Oak Barrels for Home Aging: Sizes, Taps & Stands
Small oak aging barrel
A good first barrel. Small barrels work fast, so you can taste a difference in a few weeks.
Check price on Amazon.ca(opens in a new tab, affiliate link)2" poplar bourbon barrel bungs (5 pack)
Fits the bung hole on a full bourbon barrel. Handy if the original bung on yours is missing or split.
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What you need to get the most out of our smoker chunks on a charcoal or gas grill.
For our Bourbon Barrel Smoker Chunks · Guide: How to Use Bourbon Barrel Smoker Chunks for BBQ
Stainless steel smoker box
Lets gas grill owners use our smoker chunks. Set it over your hottest burner until the wood smoulders, then cook as usual.
Check price on Amazon.ca(opens in a new tab, affiliate link)Barrel Care & Finishing
Bourbon barrels last outside for years with no help. These are for slowing down weathering, stopping rust stains on a deck, or keeping hoops from slipping.
For our Half Whiskey Barrel, Full Whiskey Barrel and Planter Barrel Package · Guide: Why Whiskey Barrels Hold Up Outdoors (And Wine Barrels Don't)
Outdoor waterproof wood oil
Slows down greying. Put it on the outside only, especially if you're growing food.
Check price on Amazon.ca(opens in a new tab, affiliate link)Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Ultra Cover clear gloss spray
Bourbon barrel hoops are raw steel, so they rust. A clear coat keeps the look and stops orange stains on decks and patios.
Check price on Amazon.ca(opens in a new tab, affiliate link)Self-drilling corrosion-resistant screws
When a barrel dries out in summer the hoops can slide down. Self-drilling screws go straight through the steel hoop into the stave and pin it in place.
Tip: Keep them short (around 1/2" to 5/8") so you don't go through the stave.
Check price on Amazon.ca(opens in a new tab, affiliate link)Start With the Barrel
Genuine retired Kentucky bourbon barrels, picked up by appointment at 1300 Errington Rd, Errington, BC.
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