I was expecting a book about barrel proof whiskey and how the wood imparts flavor into the whiskey, but this book was more about the barrel itself and how it is made. It was interesting to hear about the history of barrels, how they are made, and the future of barrel making. However, I wanted more stories about bourbon and the science behind how the wood is critical to the flavor we taste. It’s a book about cooperages, coopers, wine barrels, whiskey barrels (being a small part of the story), and barrel aged beer.