What Type of Cork Do I Need for My Bottle?
Cork Types for Glass Bottles: Natural, Composite, Synthetic & Wooden Headed Explained
A practical guide to every cork type we stock — and which is right for your bottle, product, and budget.
The cork you choose does far more than seal your bottle. It's the first tactile interaction your customer has with your product - and it signals quality, craft, and care before a single drop is poured.
Whether you're bottling a small-batch spirit, a craft condiment, or a premium oil, the right closure should complement your bottle, suit your production volume, and match your customer's expectations. Here's our complete breakdown of every cork type we stock, and which one is right for you.
The cork range, compared
We stock six distinct cork types, each suited to different bottles, budgets, and end uses. Here's everything you need to know before ordering.
Natural tapered cork
Cut directly from cork oak bark with a tapered body that compresses to form a snug, reliable seal. Available in 16mm, 18mm, and 26mm fitments to suit our Vecchia and Ducale bottle ranges.
- Sustainably harvested natural material
- Tapered shape ensures a secure fit
- Traditional, premium appearance
- Ideal for spirits, oils, and premium liquids
- Available from just 8p per unit
Composite tapered cork
Made from compressed cork granules bound together for greater consistency than natural cork. The 26mm composite cork is designed for our 8oz Sampler Bottle and offers a sleek, professional finish.
- Uniform size and shape every time
- More consistent than natural cork
- Durable and reliable seal
- Professional appearance at lower cost
Synthetic headed cork
A polymer body topped with a smooth, knurled, or imprinted synthetic head. Available in 13mm through to 22mm fitments - zero taint risk and consistent pull force every time. Our most widely stocked cork type.
- Zero TCA cork taint risk
- Consistent performance at scale
- Multiple head styles: smooth, knurled
- Vegan and animal-free
- Available from just 16p per unit
Wooden headed natural cork
A natural cork leg topped with a shaped wooden head - flat or curved - for an elevated, artisan look. Available in 14mm, 15mm, 19mm, and 27mm. A popular choice for premium spirit and condiment bottles where presentation matters.
- Premium, tactile feel in hand
- Warm, natural wooden aesthetic
- Curved or flat head options
- Ideal for gifting and retail
Wooden headed pourer cork
A wooden-topped synthetic cork with an integrated pourer for clean, controlled dispensing without removing the closure entirely. The 19.5mm pourer cork is a popular choice for oils, syrups, and spirits served at the bar.
- Integrated pourer for clean dispensing
- Wooden head for premium appearance
- Synthetic body for consistency
- Great for oils, spirits, and syrups
Aluminium headed synthetic cork
A synthetic cork body topped with a satin silver aluminium head - the 19mm aluminium headed cork delivers a sleek, modern look at an accessible price point. Ideal for spirits and premium oils where a metallic finish adds shelf appeal.
- Distinctive satin silver finish
- Synthetic body — zero taint risk
- Lightweight yet premium appearance
- Great for contemporary spirit branding
- Available from just 8p per unit
Quick comparison
| Cork type | Best for | Taint risk | Vegan | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural tapered | Spirits, oils, premium liquids | Low | ✓ | 8p |
| Composite tapered | Sampler & mid-range bottles | Very low | ✓ | 29p |
| Synthetic headed | Scale production, consistency | None | ✓ | 16p |
| Wooden headed natural | Premium & gift bottles | Low | ✓ | 16p |
| Wooden headed pourer | Oils, spirits, bar service | None | ✓ | 32p |
| Aluminium headed synthetic | Contemporary spirits & premium oils | None | ✓ | 8p |
How to choose the right one
Start with your bottle. Every cork in our range is sized to fit specific neck diameters - the fitment size must match your bottle's neck finish or the seal will be compromised. If you're using one of our Vecchia, Nocturne, or Ducale bottles, the correct cork is listed on each product page.
Then think about your end use and presentation. For a premium spirit or oil, a natural tapered or wooden headed cork adds warmth and authenticity. For volume production where consistency matters, synthetic headed corks are the reliable choice, no taint risk, predictable pull force, available in a wide range of sizes. For bottles destined for gift retail, a wooden headed cork elevates the presentation significantly. And if your product is poured at the bar or table, a pourer cork removes the need to fully remove the closure each time.
The right cork isn't just a seal - it's the start of the experience. Choose one that fits the bottle, suits the liquid, and tells the right story.
Coloured Bottles packaging teamSizing matters more than you think
A cork that's even slightly mismatched to your bottle neck will either fail to seal or be nearly impossible to remove cleanly. All our corks carry a fitment size, always match this to your bottle's neck diameter before ordering. If you're unsure, request a sample first.
We always recommend testing a cork with your bottle before placing a bulk order. Fitment tolerances vary between bottle ranges, and a quick sample check avoids costly mismatches. Contact our team to request samples on any of our cork lines.
For most spirit and condiment producers, we recommend starting with a synthetic headed cork for reliability and value, or a wooden headed natural cork if premium presentation is a priority. Both are available across our main bottle ranges and can be sampled before bulk ordering. Browse the full closures range to find the right fit for your bottle.
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Browse our full range of corks and closures — sized to fit our spirit bottle collection, with samples available on request.
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Free samples available on request · Bulk pricing available
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