5 x 7,000 Litre washback tanks produced from premium Oregon Douglas Fir. The staves are sourced from trees grown in the Coast Range of the Pacific northwest and are perfectly suited for quality spirit production.
These high quality washback tanks have been used to ferment award winning Tasmanian Whisky for 8+ years and are surplus to current requirements. They have been decommissioned and are currently being stored ready to ship in a 40 Foot Shipping Container at Lark production site in Tasmania.
Inspection can be arranged and a local cooperage can be contracted to undertake any reconditioning work or that can be done at the end final destination post shipment.
Product Specifications:
- Quantity: 5
- Size: 7,000 Litres
- Height: 2.4m
- Wood type: Oregon Douglas Fir
- Wood source: Coast Range of the Pacific Northwest USA
- Location: 40 Foot Shipping Container at Lark, Cambridge Tasmanian
- Lids: x 3
- Manufacturer: Oregon Barrel Works
- Assembly: Tasmanian Cask Company
- Age: 8+ Years
- Purpose: Wash for distillation
- Status: No leaks
- Internal grade: requires shaving due to fermentation
Please DO NOT contact the seller directly but do direct all inquiries to us at Service@BeerCo.com.au
Serious Inquiries only please. Price Inc GST, EXW Cambridge, Tasmania. Excludes Freight.
Characteristics and Advantages of Wooden Washbacks:
Traditionally, washbacks were constructed from timber, with pine or larch being common choices due to their ability to yield long, straight planks and their tight grain, which inherently reduces the likelihood of leaks. Oregon Pine, also widely recognized as Douglas Fir, is a specific type of wood historically favored for washback construction, noted for its resilience against fungi and rot.
One of the primary functional advantages of wooden washbacks lies in their superior insulating properties. Wood, being a poor conductor of heat, effectively helps maintain a steady, warm temperature range (optimally 25-35°C) crucial for optimal yeast activity during fermentation. This contrasts with stainless steel washbacks, where excessively high wash temperatures can be challenging to reduce once fermentation is underway, as they cannot be sprayed with cool water like their metal counterparts.
A significant aspect often attributed to wooden washbacks is their perceived contribution to the whisky's flavor profile. The porous nature of wood creates microscopic crevices and nooks where beneficial micro-organisms can accumulate and persist, even after rigorous cleaning regimes. Many distillers contend that these surviving microbes introduce unique flavor congeners, such as fruity, floral, or spicy notes, and can foster the development of heavier, richer compounds that enhance the whisky's texture. This perceived influence on flavor is a fundamental reason why some prominent distilleries, including Diageo, The Glenlivet, Rosebank, and Auchentoshan, continue to utilize or even install new wooden washbacks, prioritizing traditional methods and distinct spirit character. Beyond the functional benefits, the decision to retain or install wooden washbacks is frequently driven by their romantic appeal and a commitment to preserving traditional production techniques, thereby reflecting and reinforcing the distillery's heritage.