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Copperworks American Single Malt Whiskey Apple Brandy Cask Review

What happens when a Pacific Northwest single malt meets California apple brandy casks from St. George Spirits? A buttery, fruit-forward dram worth exploring.

OVERALL RATING

8
$89.99
  • Jeffrey Nitschke is a Portland-based attorney passionate about whiskey and cigars, with deep ties to the American whisky community and culture.
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Tasting Notes

About:

The U.S. Pacific Northwest is home to some of the nations best American Single Malt Whiskey distilleries, a category more recently codified in January 2025 and which bears similarity with Scotch Whisky. Copperworks Distilling Company is one such member, located in Seattle, WA. With backgrounds in the craft beer industry, co-owners/distillers Jason Parker and Micah Nutt have sought to use a malted barley base from distilling craft beer for their expressions.

The subject of today’s review is a Apple Brandy Cask, using barrels from St. George Spirits, one of America’s oldest single malt whiskey producers. “It feels like we’ve known Head Distiller Dave Smith and Master Distiller Lance Winters forever, forging a friendship over innumerable encounters at conventions, expos, and hosting them at our distillery in Seattle” said Copperworks President and Co-Founder Jason Parker. “Having the opportunity to explore the possibilities of these two California Reserve Apple Brandy casks has been wonderful.”
Appearance:
Crisp gold and hues of muddled orange.
Nose:
Fruit forward with pineapple zest and lemon peel. Hints of the malted barley manifest in notes of biscuit and light citrus with a buttery chardonnay underlay.
Palate:
Sweet orange and anise flood the palate, ripening into a buttered apple and cinnamon Mélange. A slight lemon zest continues to lightly say hello while cereal grains manifest on the back of the tongue with a bit of cream soda wood notes.
Finish:
Light Toffee and buttery caramel send you off with strong milk chocolate barley notes. Hints of mango and honey crisp apples on the final goodbye.
Comments:
The operative word for this whiskey is ‘buttery’. While clearly fruit forward on the nose, the whiskey calmly settles into a warmer experience, reminiscent of sipping hot sweetened apple cider next to a cozy fire. The apple brandy barrels keep the whiskey sweet and light but do not rob it of the single malt notes. Well balanced and a dram for any brandy lover.

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.

Jeffrey Nitschke

Jeffrey Nitschke is Portland area attorney whose career has dovetailed with a love of fine spirits and cigars. His hometown is rich with microdistilleries, which has afforded him the opportunity to learn the nuances of whiskey tasting and whiskey making. His writing and enthusiasm for the hobby has led to lasting friendships with other whiskey aficionados and connisures across the United States.

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