Barrels that once contained whiskey, bourbon, wine, and rum can be used to age tobacco. This ageing process gives the cigar an added flavor dimension.
American oak barrels are the ones typically used, but they have to be “retired barrels,” which are barrels that have not been used for some time (typically 15 to 20 years). This ensures all of the distillate has been removed (for example, the alcohol aroma). Before the leaves are put in, the inside of the barrel is burnt to remove the liquor. Typically, the leaves are aged in barrels for approximately two years.
Usually, binder and filler leaves are barrel aged, but wrapper leaves can be aged in this fashion too. Barrel aging tends to add a smoked wood flavor to a cigar’s profile.