@lapatiala: Did you know how barrels are made for aging whiskey and Cognac? I visited a traditional cooperage in France to see it firsthand. Using time-honored techniques, coopers bend thick wooden staves into shape, hammer metal hoops into place, then toast the barrels over an open flame to develop each spirit’s final flavor and color. Toast levels are customized for every client, and specialty formats like tierçons require even more craftsmanship before shipping worldwide. #Cooperage #BarrelMaking #WhiskeyAging #Cognac