Short answer: Yes, you can buy a barrel of bourbon directly from Southern Kentucky Distillery. You purchase "new fill" bourbon, it stays in our federally bonded warehouse while it ages, and you cannot drink it straight from the barrel until it has aged and is bottled.
Key Takeaways
- SKD sells whole barrels of new fill bourbon directly, no broker required.
- Your barrel is stored in a bonded warehouse under a signed service agreement.
- One barrel yields roughly 250 bottles once it is aged and bottled.
- This is not financial advice. Barrel ownership carries real risk.
How It Works at SKD
When you buy a barrel from us, you are buying new fill bourbon, meaning it has just gone into the barrel and has not aged yet. That barrel then stays at our distillery in a federally bonded warehouse, where it ages under the same conditions as our own production barrels.
You will sign a Barrel Storage and Service Agreement, which covers ongoing costs like storage, insurance, and any physical moves of the barrel. You cannot pull bourbon straight from your barrel to drink. It needs to finish aging and go through bottling before it is ready to drink or resell as finished product.
Once your barrel is ready, you have options: sell it back to us, sell it to another distiller who needs product, sell it to a collector, or bottle it yourself for personal use or resale.
A Note on Risk
Buying a barrel is a real purchase of a tangible asset, not a guaranteed investment. Its eventual value depends on aging outcomes and market demand at the time you sell. This page is for general information only and is not financial advice. We are not financial advisors. Talk to a professional advisor if you have questions about how a barrel purchase fits your financial situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy just one barrel?
Yes. You can purchase a single barrel or multiple barrels, depending on availability.
How much does a barrel cost?
Pricing varies with current availability. Contact us directly for current new fill pricing.
Can I drink my barrel right away?
No. New fill bourbon has to age before it is ready. Most barrels are held 4 to 7 years before bottling.
Do I get a receipt or record of ownership?
Yes. Barrel owners receive documentation as part of the Barrel Storage and Service Agreement, and can visit the warehouse to see their barrel.
Ready to Buy a Barrel?
Visit our bourbon barrel purchase page or contact Junior Cecil at jcecil@skdistillery.com or Kevin Dailey at kdaily@skdistillery.com to check current availability. You can also browse our current lineup in the shop.