The barrel is exactly what you see.

WARNING: before putting any drink inside, it would be good to prepare it. Fill it with hot water (and a little bit of pure alcohol if you want), leave it for 2 days, and coat it with some sealant* (e.g., beeswax) if necessary, and on the third day after you empty it and rinse it one more time, you fill it with wine or tsipouro.

*obviously, you will coat it from the outside, not the inside.

It is excellent. I have it to age tsipouro. It gives a wonderful color, aroma, and taste. The construction quality is excellent without leaks.