A craft distiller seeking to make whisky, rum or brandies will be faced with the daunting challenge of ageing the distillate in an oak barrel. What is wood made of? Why are barrels for the spirits industry made of oak? How are oak barrels made? What reactions occur to the alcohol in the oak barrel during ageing? Where does a craft distiller get oak barrels? Should barrels be new or used? This course aims to answer these questions and many more for the potential future craft distiller who wants to learn about oak barrel ageing.