Pacific Northwest whiskey maker, Copperworks Distilling, is known for exploring flavors of the region through locally-sourced ingredients and special collaborations with other craft beverage makers around the state of Washington.
And they’re at it again with a recently launched special release, a celebration of flavors from Washington’s Walla Walla Valley.
A statement from Copperworks explained that on the day that Doubleback Winery was emptying one of their Cabernet Sauvignon casks, Doug Charles, of Compass Wines in Anacortes, Washington, drove to Walla Walla and loaded the cask in the back of his Volvo wagon.
He hand delivered it to Copperworks Distilling in Seattle, where the distiller immediately filled it, setting it on its way to become another special release of Copperworks American Single Malt Whiskey.
In March of 2020, Charles, along with Doubleback Winery’s Josh McDaniels and Copperworks’ co-owners Jason Parker and Jeff Kanof, started the collaboration to make an exclusive, single cask release.
And now, Copperworks American Single Malt Whiskey Doubleback Cabernet Cask is available for pre-order through Compass Wines.
“We’ve been a staunch supporter of Washington wine for decades,” said Charles, co-owner of Compass Wines. “When we added spirits to our portfolio in 2020, it was only natural that we’d take a serious position on Washington whiskey as well. Together, we selected a Copperworks American Single Malt Whiskey to be finished in a stunning Cabernet cask from the legendary Doubleback Winery.”
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Copperworks vice president and co-owner, Jeff Kanof, explained that this new expression was made from Genie barley (Salmon-Safe certified) grown on HT Rea Farms in Washington’s Walla Walla Valley.
“The whiskey matured in new American oak casks for three years and five months, then finished for 11 months in a French oak cask that previously held Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon, also in the Walla Walla Valley,” he said.
Charles, of Compass Box, said that the unique character of Washington malt from a single farm is “remarkable on its own, but adds layers upon layers of the decadent red fruit which Walla Walla Cabernet is known for, and you’ve got something truly special.”
In all, Copperworks made 277 bottles, each clocking in at 57.9% ABV (115.8 proof). The Copperworks Doubleback Cabernet Cask Single Malt (Compass Wines Exclusive) has a suggested retail price of $119.99.
“The depth and complexity of this whiskey matches its heavily lacquered copper color,” said Copperworks co-owner, Jason Parker. “On the nose is a union of cherries, cherry skins and oak, framed by fresh orange oil, slight tannins, and a waft of cigar wrapper and spice. On the palate you’ll find grape pomace, honey-drizzled apples, sugar cookies, hints of coffee and baking spice. Leather and oak mingle with dark chocolate on the finish, lingering with spice and light lemongrass.”
For more information or to pre-order a bottle, check out https://www.compasswines.com/copperworks-doubleback-cask-special-release-single-malt-spcodb750-46956.