Kelvin Cooperage, Part of the OAKING Group

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An integrated model dedicated to elevating the value of American white oak

Kelvin Cooperage is a trusted partner for distilleries, producing high-quality American oak barrels rooted in traditional cooperage expertise.

Today, Kelvin Cooperage operates within the OAKING group, a strategic structure developed by the Charlois Group and dedicated to enhancing the value of American white oak (Quercus alba) while managing the full lifecycle of the barrel.

Created by Charlois group in June 2025, OAKING group brings together Kelvin Cooperage and Graf Brothers, two complementary players in the American oak industry. Graf Brothers contributes its expertise in American white oak sourcing and stave production, while Kelvin Cooperage represents the craftsmanship of barrel making and the production of casks for distilleries.

A Strategic Structure for American White Oak

Since the 17th century, Charlois group has championed the finest French and European oak. Built on a circular model—from sustainable forestry to high-end cooperage for prestigious wines and cognacs—the group continues its unique tradition: using every part of a tree. This artisanal, responsible and innovative approach embodies the group’s long-standing philosophy.
Driven by an ambition to offer an alternative approach to the American white oak industry, OAKING group consolidates prominent houses acquired by Charlois since 2023: Graf Brothers (2024) and Kelvin Cooperage (2023). These brands combine complementary skills and
a shared commitment: providing distillers a seamless solution from forest sourcing to cask reuse, merging premium quality with competitive pricing.

Graf Brothers brings deep expertise in oak sourcing, stave production, and oak processing, while Kelvin contributes cooperage craftsmanship and barrel manufacturing.

Together, they form an integrated ecosystem that connects the forest directly to the barrel—and beyond.

Alongside Paul McLaughlin, Kelvin continues to build on its legacy of craftsmanship while playing a central role in the development of OAKING group.

Paul McLaughlin welcomed the partnership as a natural evolution for the company:

“My brother, Kevin, and I have known and admired Sylvain Charlois and his team for several years. I know that we share the same commitment to the authenticity of our craftsmanship, the excellence of our team and the quality of our barrels. We also share a common family history between our two groups. Together, we will continue to develop a traditional bourbon cooperage to provide exceptional products to our clients.”

Elevating the Value of American White Oak

For more than three centuries, Charlois group has developed a unique model built around the responsible use of oak—from sustainable forestry to high-end cooperage.

With OAKING, the group brings this philosophy to the American white oak industry, with a clear ambition: to elevate the value of American oak while ensuring long-term sustainability and access for distillers.

By integrating wood sourcing, stave production, cooperage, and barrel lifecycle management, OAKING group provides distillers with:

Stronger supply chain reliability
Enhanced traceability of oak resources
Consistent barrel quality
Long-term sustainability of American white oak

Supporting Distillers for the Future

Through OAKING group, Kelvin Cooperage now operates within a broader ecosystem dedicated to the future of American white oak.

For distillers producing bourbon, whiskey, and other aged spirits, this alliance represents a new model—one that combines craftsmanship, responsible forestry, and operational excellence to support the next generation of spirits.

From forest to barrel and behond, OAKING group reflects a shared commitment between Kelvin Cooperage, Graf Brothers, and Charlois: honoring the resource the forest provides while elevating its value for distillers worldwide.