{"product_id":"ratafia-de-champagne-fass","title":"225 L RATAFIA DE CHAMPAGNE BARREL","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-block=\"true\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #453135;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPECIFICATION\/ORIGIN:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ratafia de Champagne\/Champagne, France\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #453135;\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWOOD:\u003c\/strong\u003e French Oak\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #453135;\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSIZE:\u003c\/strong\u003e 225 l\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #453135;\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAGE:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15 years\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #453135;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDIMENSIONS:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 95 cm (Height)\/68 cm (Ø Bilge)\/57 cm (Ø Head)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #453135;\"\u003eDELIVERY TIME:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan style=\"color: #dc291e;\"\u003eOn Request\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAN EXCEPTIONAL RARITY FROM CHAMPAGNE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese extraordinary 225L Ratafia de Champagne barrels made from French oak come directly from the Champagne region of France and offer a cask history that is exceptionally rare even on the international market for used wine and spirit barrels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRatafia de Champagne – officially also known as Ratafia Champenois – remains relatively unknown outside its native France. This traditional speciality from Champagne is produced from fresh grape must combined with alcohol of viticultural origin. This combination preserves the fruitiness and freshness of the grape must while developing a complex, sweet-fruited and spicy aromatic profile during maturation. Its protected geographical origin corresponds to the Champagne region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is precisely this exceptional previous fill that makes these barrels particularly interesting for the subsequent maturation and finishing of whisky, rum, brandy, beer, and other premium beverages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWHAT IS RATAFIA DE CHAMPAGNE?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTo produce Ratafia, fresh grape must is combined with alcohol of viticultural origin. The addition of alcohol preserves part of the grapes' natural sweetness and original fruit character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRatafia Champenois is officially characterised by colours ranging from pale straw yellow to amber, together with distinctive fruitiness and minerality. With extended maturation in wood, its aromatic profile can develop further, revealing notes such as dried fruit, nuts, toasted almonds, liquorice, and cinnamon.\u0026nbsp;Ratafia therefore creates a fascinating connection between the worlds of wine and spirits – and it is precisely this distinctive combination that remains within the French oak barrels after maturation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE AROMATIC CHARACTER OF CHAMPAGNE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFrench oak is one of the world's most highly regarded woods for aging premium wines and spirits. Its elegant structure and refined oak character provide an ideal foundation for the complex aromatic profile of Ratafia Champenois.\u0026nbsp;These barrels can combine aromas of ripe and dried fruits with nutty and spicy nuances. Notes of toasted almonds, delicate spices, cinnamon, and seasoned French oak can add further depth and complexity.\u0026nbsp;As a result, Ratafia de Champagne barrels provide an entirely different aromatic foundation for barrel aging and finishing, offering producers the opportunity to create flavour profiles far removed from conventional cask categories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAN EXCEPTIONAL CASK FOR WHISKY \u0026amp; OTHER SPIRITS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor distilleries, these used Ratafia de Champagne barrels offer particularly exciting possibilities for individual maturation and finishing projects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor whisky finishing, the combination of grape fruit, natural sweetness, spicy nuances, and French oak offers exceptional potential. These barrels are particularly attractive for limited releases, special editions, and distinctive cask-finishing programs where an unusual previous fill can become an integral part of the final spirit's character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrandy, Cognac, rum, fruit spirits, and other distillates can also benefit from this complex previous fill. The objective is not simply to introduce additional oak influence, but to transfer a distinctive aromatic profile shaped by the unique combination of grape must, alcohol, and maturation in French oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor breweries, these casks also offer exciting opportunities for barrel aging. Complex and full-bodied beer styles in particular can gain an additional aromatic dimension through the combination of fruit, subtle sweetness, spice, and French oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese rare barrels are therefore ideal for producers deliberately looking beyond established cask categories and seeking to develop new and distinctive flavour profiles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDIRECT FROM CHAMPAGNE – INSPECTED BY OUR MASTER COOPERS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOur Ratafia de Champagne barrels come directly from Champagne and are carefully inspected by our experienced master coopers before delivery.\u0026nbsp;The inspection focuses on the overall condition of each barrel, its construction, and its suitability for professional refilling and further maturation. Only barrels that meet our quality standards are approved for their next use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA CASK TYPE RARELY SEEN ON THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile Bourbon, Sherry, Port, rum, and wine barrels have been used for many years to mature and finish premium spirits, original Ratafia de Champagne barrels remain virtually unknown on the international cask market.\u0026nbsp;That is precisely what makes them so exceptional. They give distilleries and breweries the opportunity to work with a previous fill that differs significantly from established finishing concepts.\u0026nbsp;For producers searching for new cask profiles for limited editions, experimental maturation projects, or exceptional premium releases, these barrels represent an extremely rare opportunity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEXTREMELY LIMITED AVAILABILITY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese 225L Ratafia de Champagne barrels are an exceptional rarity. At present, we cannot predict how long we will continue to have access to these casks or what quantities may become available in the future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.webshopapp.com\/shops\/303912\/files\/381329859\/guidelines-used-barrels-oakbarrelsshop.pdf\" title=\"Guidelines for Used Barrels\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #976a4d;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDOWNLOAD:\u003c\/strong\u003e Guidelines for Used Barrels\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #dc291e;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOTE:\u003c\/strong\u003e The sale of our products is exclusively to businesses or commercial customers as defined in §14 of the German Civil Code (BGB). Consumers are expressly excluded from concluding a contract. The images shown are example photos; variations may occur. All prices are non-binding, per unit, net ex works. Subject to prior sale and availability.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"OAKBARRELS.SHOP","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55152010789197,"sku":null,"price":325.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/6071\/0989\/files\/gebrauchtfaesser-ratafia.jpg?v=1792673959","url":"https:\/\/shop.oakbarrels.shop\/en\/products\/ratafia-de-champagne-barrel","provider":"OAKBARRELS.SHOP","version":"1.0","type":"link"}