The Oak Barrel Company is celebrating its 20th anniversary as a business focused on transforming bourbon and wine barrels. What began in 1999 with a broken barrel evolved into a globally recognized brand known for reimagining barrels into pieces of functional art.

Christopher Deffenbaugh, founder of the company, never intended to start a business. 

“It started with a friend asking me to take an old, dried-out barrel to the curb,” he said in a news release. “I put it in the back of my truck instead and rebuilt it into something beautiful.” 

By 2005, Deffenbaugh had formalized the venture, turning his one-man workshop in rural Ohio into a registered LLC. Over the next 20 years, The Oak Barrel Company would grow into a destination for customers seeking one-of-a-kind pieces, ranging from bar stools and ottomans to sinks, smokers and custom furniture. With numerous unique designs in his catalog today, Deffenbaugh has cultivated a devoted following, from home decorators to major spirit brands.

“I was no carpenter. I came from human resources,” he said. “My fingernails were flat from banging them with the hammer so many times.” 

But what he lacked in training, he made up for in vision and creativity: “I wanted to make something that could last. Something that wouldn’t just be tossed out in five years.”

Among the standout items is the FÜMI Bourbon smoker, a compact unit made from reclaimed wood, designed without screens or moving parts, offering a safer, more flavorful alternative to standard models. It has gained traction among bartenders and mixology enthusiasts alike, thanks to its use of rare woods like sassafras, which impart a uniquely aromatic smoke. 

“No one else is using sassafras the way we are,” Deffenbaugh said. “It’s subtle, complex, and steeped in tradition.”

Another fan favorite is the handcrafted ottoman, an upholstered gem that Deffenbaugh affectionately refers to as the “muffin top.” Built from the curved center of a barrel and covered in leather or microsuede, it’s a blend of rustic charm and ergonomic comfort. 

As proud as he is of what The Oak Barrel Company has accomplished, Deffenbaugh is looking to the future, and he’s looking for partners. 

“I have gone as far as I can on passion alone,” he said. “I need someone with real business expertise, someone who sees what I’ve built and can help scale it to what it’s meant to be.” 

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