The whiskey wash logo
The World's Most-Visited
Whiskey Website
The World's Most-Visited
Whiskey Website

Trending Stories

Search
American

Whisky Review: Coppersea New York Corn Whisky

We review Coppersea New York Corn Whisky, a young corn whiskey made at one of New York State's true estate distilleries.

OVERALL RATING

  • Savannah Weinstock is a whiskey enthusiast and industry professional.
Like Conversation
Coppersea New York Corn Whisky

Tasting Notes

About:

Appearance:
Light golden peach; butterscotchy and bright, but with a pink tint to it.
Nose:
Instantly smells young on the nose. Young, hot, and rich, Coppersea has all the qualities I hope to retain into old age. Sweet, malty, and entirely reminiscent of white dog. The only quality separating Coppersea from smelling exactly like white dog is a distinct barnyard and hot hay element.
Palate:
Grain-forward and young, Coppersea’s youth makes it difficult to distinguish any defining characteristics past its obvious new make status. While it wouldn’t be 100% fair to state that all new make tastes the same, the overwhelming majority share much of their flavor profile in common; Coppersea is no exception to this rule. Sweet corn and hot hay are the only elements I could glean from the palate. Grassy and vegetal, the finish is surprisingly crisp and clean for such a young spirit. Conclusion: Hot hay all the way, Coppersea was a whisky that I was very keen on trying from the get-go, but was ultimately too young to make a serious impression. Six months in barrel does not seem to be enough time to express the distillery’s mission of capturing “Hudson Valley terroir.” To me, terroir means the meeting of the land and hand, not simply the sourcing of the product. Whiskey doesn’t make itself, and without the skillful hand of the producer, I do not believe terroir can truly be expressed or honored. Terroir means the taste of place, and the place Coppersea tastes like to me is fresh off the still. I applaud Coppersea for their methodology, but wonder when American craft whiskey producers will take more time to honor their spirit. FINAL SCORE: 80/100
Finish:
Comments:

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Savannah Weinstock

Savannah Weinstock is a graduate of Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, where her Environmental Studies thesis delved into the intersection of Scotch Whisky, sustainability, and the commodification of nature and culture. During her thesis research, she spent time living and studying in Glasgow, Scotland, visiting and interviewing distilleries across the country, with a particular focus on the Hebridean Isles. Savannah is currently immersed in the industry, gaining firsthand experience with whiskey, spirits, and cocktails on a daily basis.

All Posts

Latest On The Whiskey Wash

The whiskey wash logo