Review: Copper & Cask Small Batch Series – #15 and #16
Copper & Cask, owned by Latitude Beverages, does not distill its own whiskey but makes blends with whiskey drawn from distilleries across Indiana, Kentucky, and Canada. Today we are trying two whiskeys: one drawn from well-aged bourbon casks in Indiana and another drawn from very well aged casks in Canada. The latter is a Cigar Blend, which is interesting since two of the three whiskeys we have previously tried from Copper & Cask are also Cigar Blends. But our trusty reviewer Jacob Kiper has explained the history of the Cigar Blend and all three from the brand broadly fit the category. Further details of each whiskey appear below. Let’s give them a try.
Copper & Cask Small Batch Series #15 Cigar Blend Whiskey Finished in Armagnac and Port Barrels 21 Years Old Review
Batch 15 is comprised of 20-year-old Canadian whiskey which was finished for six months in Armagnac and Tawny Port barrels before being blended and then bottled at blistering cask strength, which in this case brings it deeply into hazmat territory. Despite the high (very high!) proof of the whiskey, the nose is actually gentle and reserved, offering light vanilla coupled with fruity, brandy notes including raspberry and Smuckers grape jam. There are also some oaky tannins and just a touch of turpentine. This last note is unpleasant, but it is minor.
The palate is much bolder than the nose, and although it is hot, I never would have guessed the proof was so high. Taking a sip, brandy notes appear as boldly as whiskey flavors. Alongside vanilla and butterscotch there is also raspberry, grape, and cranberry. Midpalate brings bright cinnamon, and the finish, which is quite long, adds some mocha and raisin. The whiskey is actually drinkable neat, though I think most people will agree that some water is called for. With water, the cinnamon and mocha become more pronounced. This is an unusually old and bold whiskey at a shockingly low price. For those who enjoy both whiskey and brandy, it will be a hit. 157.8 proof. A- / $80
Copper & Cask Small Batch Series#16 Bourbon 11 Years Old Review
Batch 16 is blend of 24 high-rye (36% rye, 60% corn, 4% malted barley) bourbon barrels that were distilled and aged in Indiana before being brought to Copper & Cask in Rhode Island, where they were blended. The whiskey in the blend was aged for a very respectable 11 years and it is bottled at barrel proof.
The whiskey is big and burly in the glass with a bold nose that somewhat muddles its various notes together. With a bit of patience, the individual notes can be identified, including brown sugar, caramel, oak tannins, stewed cherries, and a bit of cedar.
On the palate, the bourbon shows its real quality as well as its high-rye mashbill. Where the individual notes were a bit confused on the nose, they are sharply defined, front and center on the palate. Big caramel and cherry notes hit first and harmonize nicely, and cinnamon red hots come next with a bit of sweetness, followed by milk chocolate. Drying oak tannins and cedar appear in the whiskey’s long finish, as cherry, cinnamon, milk chocolate, and caramel slowly fade. When I added a splash of water the milk chocolate notes became more pronounced, and I recommend it. There aren’t many bourbons on the market today that are over 10 years old and below $100 — and this one is a winner. 116.2 proof. A- / $85
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