The American whiskey industry never sleeps. From century-old distilleries challenging age-old assumptions to craft producers claiming extraterrestrial inspiration, this week brought developments that matter to collectors and casual drinkers alike. A Michigan distillery unveiled a carefully crafted nine-year bourbon at an accessible price point. A master distiller honored traditional flavors with a high-proof blend. And in Boston, a historic auction prepares to showcase decades of collecting passion.
Is Older Whiskey Really Better?: Bourbon Edition
The whiskey world’s most persistent myth faces scrutiny in a comprehensive analysis of bourbon aging. The investigation challenges the common belief that higher age statements automatically mean better quality.
“Most distillers agree that after about 15 years, bourbon risks becoming unbalanced.” The article explores how bourbon’s interaction with new charred oak barrels differs from Scotch whisky production. Heat and humidity in American warehouses accelerate maturation, creating risks of over-oaking that don’t affect cooler Scottish climates.
“Many of the most celebrated bourbons (Elijah Craig 12, Eagle Rare 10, and Pappy Van Winkle 15) fall within this mid-age range.” The sweet spot for bourbon aging appears to fall between six and twelve years, where oak influence balances with grain character. While ultra-aged expressions like Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year can succeed through careful barrel management, most bourbons peak well before reaching such advanced ages. The oldest known bourbon, Final Reserve at 45 years, serves more as a historical curiosity than a drinking experience.
Coppercraft Distillery Has Launched A New 9-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey
Michigan’s Coppercraft Distillery enters the aged bourbon market with a new nine-year expression priced at $37.99. The release combines sourced Indiana bourbons as the distillery prepares to reopen its Holland facility in August 2025.
“Head Distiller Will Fabry crafted a 15-barrel blend for this release, though the exact ratio remains proprietary.” The bourbon utilizes MGP’s 21% and 36% rye mashbills, employing barrels from ISC, Kelvin, and Speyside cooperages. “The distillery employed barrels from ISC, Kelvin, and Speyside cooperages, specifically using 3 char and heavy toast barrels.”
The production process spans three months from barrel to bottle, incorporating brandy blending techniques rarely seen in bourbon production. “The addition of petites eaux helps extract wood sugars and extends the whiskey’s mouthfeel.” Bottled at 90.6 proof, the bourbon presents flavors of caramel, vanilla, and oak. The release positions Coppercraft in the competitive aged bourbon segment at a price point significantly below many nine-year competitors.
Freddie Noe’s Little Book Chapter 9 American Whiskey
Fred B. Noe Distillery releases Little Book Chapter 9 “None for Granted,” a 121.8-proof American whiskey honoring traditional flavor profiles. The $159.99 expression combines five whiskeys aged between seven and eleven years.
Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals.
By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
“I and countless others wouldn’t be making the whiskey we’re making without the flavors captured in Chapter 9 – the profile pioneered at the start of modern American Whiskey,” stated eighth-generation master distiller Freddie Noe. The blend features an 11-year Kentucky straight bourbon, an 8-year Kentucky straight rye, and three additional Kentucky straight bourbons aged 7 and 8 years.
Official tasting notes describe golden bronze coloring with aromas of caramel and brown sweets with hints of char. The taste profile includes butterscotch, caramel, baking spice and stone fruit. At 60.9% ABV, Chapter 9 targets collectors seeking traditional American whiskey profiles executed with contemporary precision. The release continues Noe’s exploration of whiskey history through his Chapter series while maintaining the Beam family legacy dating to 1795.
Chattanooga Whiskey Launches Alien-Inspired Bourbon Liqueur
Tennessee’s Chattanooga Whiskey takes an unconventional approach with Batch “Alpha”: Intergalactic Comet Crusher, an 84-proof bourbon liqueur priced at $49.99. The distillery claims the formula originated from alien technology discovered in 2015.
“According to the distillery, unknown craft debris crashed onto the roof of its Experimental Distillery in summer 2015.” The company’s mostly redacted press release states that staff found blueprints for an intergalactic highway and a glowing green bottle among the wreckage. “The bourbon liqueur features an infusion of ‘at least’ 42 botanicals, according to official tasting notes.”
Limited to just 12 barrels, the release continues Chattanooga Whiskey’s experimental approach. The distillery, which successfully challenged Tennessee laws to become Chattanooga’s first distillery in over 100 years, earned Icons of Whisky – Craft Producer of the Year honors at Whisky Magazine’s 2023 World Whiskies Awards. Whether extraterrestrial or not, the liqueur adds another chapter to American whiskey’s creative evolution.
Record Whiskey Collection Auction at Bonhams New Saleroom
Bonhams prepares to auction the largest single-owner spirits collection in its history on June 26, marking the opening of its new Boston saleroom. The Encyclopedic Whisky Collection represents 25 years of passionate collecting.
“The Encyclopedic Collection is a landmark in every sense – the largest single-owner spirits offering ever presented by Bonhams in the United States and now marking the opening of our new Boston saleroom,” said Amayès Aouli, Bonhams Global Head of Wine & Spirits. “It embodies the vision, scale, and ambition of a passionate collector and also echoes a new and transformative chapter for Bonhams.”
Leading the sale are complete sets of The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars series and all five chapters of The Balvenie DCS Compendium. “Estimates for these lots range from $46,000 to $75,000 (£36,000-£59,000).” The Balvenie chapters carry estimates between $34,000 and $50,000 (£27,000-£39,000). This marks the first auction offering both complete collections simultaneously, presenting collectors with an unprecedented opportunity.
Summary
From questioning age statements to claiming alien origins, this week’s American whiskey news spans the practical and fantastical. Whether you’re seeking an affordable nine-year bourbon, contemplating the true value of age, or dreaming of auction-worthy collections, the whiskey world continues evolving. For daily updates on whiskey news and in-depth articles exploring every corner of the industry, The Whiskey Wash delivers comprehensive coverage of America’s native spirit and beyond.
Latest On The Whiskey Wash
