Copperworks’ Latest American Single Malt Influenced By Manzanilla Sherry Cask

Copperworks Distilling in Washington State recently announced its American Single Malt Whiskey Release 038 is now on the shelves available for purchase at the distillery and in its online store.

The new release builds upon what’s described as the flavor of the distillery’s last major release, Release 035, with new complexity from the addition of whiskey matured in a sherry cask.

Release 038 started with six casks of whiskey distilled from Baronesse Barley combined with two casks of whiskey distilled from the Seattle-based distillery’s pale malt recipe. Copperworks then added 5% of whiskey that had been matured in a Manzanilla sherry cask, making it the first time the distillery has blended whiskey matured in a Manzanilla sherry cask into a whiskey release.

The nine casks used in this release were all aged for a minimum of 39 months. The majority of the release was distilled from Baronesse Barley grown by Joseph’s Grainery, a family farm in southeastern Washington State. It is said to be an exceptional malting barley and Joseph’s Grainery is the only farm in the world that can legally grow it. 

The distillery said the release starts with aromas of rum raisin ice cream and pear balsamic which gives way to flavors of fig conserves and baked pears. It finishes with notes of hazelnut, fruit leather and dark cherry candy.

Just over 2,100 bottles were produced, all bottled at 50% alcohol by volume and selling for a suggested retail price of $59.89.

Copperworks Distilling Company is a craft distillery, tasting room and gift shop located on the waterfront in downtown Seattle. They produce small-batch American Single Malt Whiskey and a series of gins and vodka — all from malted barley. It was founded by co-owners/distillers Jason Parker and Micah Nutt — both experienced craft beer makers who built Copperworks to explore what they feel are the possibilities of malted barley by distilling high-quality craft beer into fine spirits.