Bourbon

Bourbon Review: Kooper Family Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

We review Kooper Family Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey. It's a sourced bourbon distilled in Indiana and aged in Texas.

OVERALL RATING

8
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Tasting Notes

About:

Distilled from an unknown source in Indiana (when I hear this I think MGP, but maybe I could be wrong, but it’s not like MGP is a bad thing regardless) and aged in Texas; mash bill of 75 percent corn, 21 percent rye, and 4 percent malt; about $45; 92 proof (46 percent alcohol).
Appearance:
Red undertones. No gold here. It carries some richness. Roasted chestnuts. The leather of a fine armchair that makes you sit up straight (no slouching allowed!).
Nose:
This is really elegant on the nose. There’s a pleasant depth to it. To me, it veers fruity: Cherry vanilla ice cream. Pomegranates. But also sweet, like melted caramel and browned butter. Welcoming.
Palate:
Lovely, sleek mouthful. A bit of ginger on the finish. Some cinnamon even later. This whiskey has a fine drawl to it: Not syrupy, more soft. Welcoming on the palate as well as the nose. This bourbon is like the whiskey equivalent of “y’all come back now, you hear?” Very Texan, I guess. And very drinkable. Either on its own or in a drink, but at 92 proof it’s a high-proof cocktail you’d make. But who cares, we’re all still at home, pretty much, where are you gonna go? This whiskey is a good ole’ value too – at around $45 it tastes like something twice the price, honestly. I’ve had whiskies twice the price which are not nearly as good.
Finish:
Comments:
There is a solid elegance to this bourbon. Like someone who looks good in a suit, so good that you can’t imagine them in jeans but then they pull that off too. There’s grace to this whiskey. It stands tall. It does not slouch. I really really like this. Well done, Kooper Family.

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.

Carin Moonin

Carin Moonin swapped a 5th-floor walkup in Hoboken, NJ, for a house in SE Portland a decade ago and hasn't looked back. She appreciates Portland's vibrant whiskey scene, finding it complements both the weather and her mood. Carin enjoys exploring the diverse world of brown liquor and its many facets. Her writing has been featured in publications such as Salon.com, DailyDot.com, Willamette Week, Portland Monthly, and others. When she's not indulging in whiskey or writing about it, you can find Carin running, reading, or on the hunt for free samples in grocery stores.

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