Our Services
For generations, the cooper’s craft has shaped the character of Scotland’s spirits industry.
At Trossachs Cooperage, we honour that heritage while embracing modern mechanics to meet the needs of today’s distillers. From traditional STR and hand tools to automated rejuvenation and mobile workshops, our services ensure every cask is cared for with skill, respect, and reliability.
Preserving Heritage, Nurturing Spirit.
Repair
Hardening
Not every cask requires repair or rejuvenation, some just need a little TLC. Casks can be dried out and weathered. A simple tighten with our hoop driver, hoops taken in or steam treatment can have distillers’ casks ready for filling again.
Rejuvenation
The blend of ancient craftsmanship and modern mechanics allows us to extend the life of every cask.
Our site offers two distinct rejuvenation processes across two workshops.
Workshop 1 – Automated Rejuvenation
Automated rejuvenation is carried out with brand new top of the range machinery.
Dechar
The inside of the cask is scraped back using our PLC controlled wire brush system, ensuring minimal wood is removed to reveal a fresh layer of oak, ready to breathe life back into the spirit.
Rechar
A fresh layer of char is created on the surface using our automated charring machine, rotated to offer a uniformed char. This layer of char acts as a filter, removing undesirable sulphur compounds and off notes from the spirit.
Pressure Testing
Every cask is rigorously tested after every process, combining the watchful eye of the cooper with modern assurance, so only leak-free, fit for fill casks leave our care.
Workshop 2 – Traditional STR
Our STR (Shave, Toast, Rechar) workshop is where tradition meets precision.
Each rejuvenation is carried out with respect for the craft, ensuring that casks continue their journey of nurturing spirit for many years to come.
Here our experienced workforce use custom engineered machinery and open oak fires. With sustainability in mind, the STR process is fuelled with the by-products of repair, with zero waste and the workshop itself is powered by renewable energy.
Arguably the most important step in rejuvenation of a whisky cask, toasting caramelises the sugars in the wood. The depth of the toast is achieved by the duration and intensity of the heat, allowing variations in the flavours extracted for maturation.
Dechar
The inside of the cask is shaved by hand. Experienced operators judge how much to take off, between 2mm – 5mm, removing the exhausted wood. This process reveals a fresh layer of oak beneath, ready to breathe life back into the spirit.
Toasting
By using radiated heat from our custom-built fire boxes, and using only clean oak to burn, we coax out delicate notes from the cask, giving distillers the ability to shape flavour and character. Toasting can take between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on specific requirements and cask condition. The customer can choose what oak to burn, giving them more control over the process, and work with us to reduce the carbon footprint on the industry.
Rechar
A fresh layer of char is created on the surface. This layer of char acts as a filter, removing undesirable sulphur compounds and off notes from the spirit.
Hardening and Pressure Testing
Every cask is rigorously tested, combining the watchful eye of the cooper with modern assurance, so only leak-free, fit for fill casks leave our care.
Logistics Yard and Barrel Park
Our logistics yard is fully equipped to handle import and export operations, transhipment and short-term storage, designed for efficiency and safety in mind.
Our barrel park is fully secure and monitored. It is equipped to handle 100K plus casks, long term stowed storage, with CCTV, sprinkler system, and fully solar powered.
Cask Storage
We understand the value of each cask. That’s why we offer safe, secure storage:
- Indoor or outdoor space
- Short or long-term care
- Trusted stewardship of every cask
Your casks remain in expert hands until they are needed again.
Mobile Coopering Unit
Tradition on the Move
Coopering is one of the oldest trades, yet its tools and methods are remarkably timeless. Our mobile unit carries this craft across Scotland, ensuring that distilleries and warehouses can call upon the skill of the cooper wherever it is required.
Bringing our workshop to you, we provide:
- Careful cask selection
- Repairs and hardening
- Steam treatment and on-site pressure testing
- Support for filling stores
Wherever the spirit rests, our coopers are there to preserve the integrity of the cask – and the heritage it holds within.