Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review.
Copperworks Distilling Company recently released two new expressions as part of their Hair of the Dog Brewing Cask Finished Collection: Copperworks Hair of the Dog Adam American Single Malt Whiskey and Copperworks Hair of the Dog Matt Single Malt Whiskey. This review will focus on the latter.
Co-owners/distillers Jason Parker and Micah Nutt are both experienced craft beer makers who co-founded Copperworks Distilling Company in 2013. Engaged in the art of craft brewing since the 1980s, their extensive work with malted barley inspired them to venture into distilling spirits to see what could come of using craft beer, minus the hops, in the production process. The distillery, along with a tasting room and gift shop, is located on the waterfront in downtown Seattle, Washington. While their primary focus is on small-batch American Single Malt Whiskey, Copperworks also produces a series of gins, and vodka, all of which are made using malted barley.
Their whiskey is made from 100% malted barley and is twice-distilled in traditional copper stills that were custom made in Scotland and specially designed for distilling malt whiskey. Most of their whiskey is aged in charred, new American Oak barrels designed by a Kentucky cooperage while other expressions are aged in either French Oak or former sherry casks.
Bottled at 100 proof, Copperworks Hair of the Dog Matt American Single Malt is a whiskey that was named after the ale crafted by Hair of the Dog Brewing Company in 2009 which was specially made for the tenth anniversary of Bottleworks, a craft beer shop in Seattle. It’s also named after Bottleworks and Brouwer’s Cafe Owner Matt Vandenberghe as well as the late Matt Bonney, an original employee of Bottleworks who was well-known in the craft beer community.
Copperworks Hair of the Dog Matt American Single Malt Whiskey was crafted from an Oregon based variety of barley called Genie. This single malt whiskey is aged for a little over 3 years in new American Oak barrels with char #2 before finishing for another 8 months in a bourbon cask that once held Hair of the Dog’s Matt American Strong ale. The brand’s official tasting notes suggest maraschino cherry, plum, raisin, and chocolate malt balls on the nose with flavors of citrus, milk chocolate, vanilla, and caramel on the palate with notes of oak, spice, and citrus in the finish.
Tasting Notes: Copperworks Hair of the Dog “Matt” American Single Malt Whiskey
Vital Stats: 100 proof (50% ABV), 100% malted barley, 750 ml MSRP $89.99.
Appearance: Auburn.
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Nose: Bright notes of citrus, green peppers, and sweet cinnamon hit the nose first, followed by hints of poached fruit and honeysuckle.
Palate: On the palate are notes of spicy molasses, sun tea with a touch of lemon, and lush raw grains followed by hints of cedar, cigar tobacco leaves, and orange marmalade on the back end.
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