Butt

barrel type associated particularly with sherry production in the Jerez region. It is usually made from American oak and has a capacity of between 600 and 650 l/172 gal. A bota chica or shipping butt holds 500 l and is sometimes used as a unit of measurement. New butts are an inconvenience in the sherry-making process and have to be seasoned by being used for the fermentation of lower-quality wines.