Copperworks Distilling recently released a single cask whiskey matured in one of its own refilled casks, a first for the Seattle whiskey maker.
A statement from Copperworks noted that the first whiskey to mature in this particular cask was actually the distillery’s first-ever whiskey release, back in 2016 … Release 001.
Now, seven years later, this cask was pressed into duty once again. And the new release from this old cask is Copperworks’ American Single Malt Whiskey Single Cask No. 7-2. The “2” denotes the second use of a cask.
“Single casks are pretty straightforward, and tasty, and we number them in chronological order, meaning this was our seventh cask ever filled,” said Copperworks’ president and co-owner, Jason Parker. “We filled, emptied, and refilled it with a new distillate to make a new whiskey.”
Copperworks’ vice president and co-owner, Jeff Kanof, said that unlike other styles of American whiskey, such as bourbon and rye, no law currently states that American single malt whiskey must mature in a new cask.
Parker said that while most of their whiskey is matured in new casks, they have a number of refilled casks as well.
“Refilling allows us to focus more on highlighting the flavors of the locally-sourced malted barley in our final product,” Parker added. “Because the cask has been used before, it has contributed many of its characteristics to the first whiskey. After the refill, the influence from the cask is lessened, allowing the new whiskey to pursue more characteristics from the malt.”
Kanof noted that refilling a cask is different from finishing in a cask.
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“Refilling is entering distillate into a previously used cask to become a fully matured whiskey, whereas finishing is transferring a whiskey that has already fully matured into another cask to achieve additional flavors,” he added.
Single Cask No. 7-2 was made from Copperworks’ Five Malt recipe and matured in a refilled American oak cask for six years and 10 months. It was then bottled at cask strength. The cask previously held another Copperworks American Single Malt Whiskey crafted from pale malt.
The distiller’s notes show that on the nose, the whiskey has aromas of lemon, orange blossom honey, caramelized peach, and honeysuckle. On the palate are tastes of spice, stone fruit, dried apricot, limoncello, and dark brown sugar. It finishes long and lightly drying, with notes of lemon zest, candied pecan, and honey sweetness with black tea.
In all, Copperworks is offering 192 bottles, at 750ml, and the whiskey clocks in at 65.6% ABV, 131.2 proof. It has a suggested price of $89.99.
To find out more or to get a bottle, check out https://store.copperworksdistilling.com/products/copperworks-american-single-malt-whiskey-single-cask-7-2-750ml.
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