Review by: Whiskery Turnip
Distillery: Copperworks.
Bottler: Distillery.
Region: United States/Washington Single Malt.
ABV: 59.1%. Cask Strength.
Age: 3 Years. Distilled in 2018. Bottled in 2022.
Cask type: New American Oak.
Nose: Berries, herbs, and wood; buttery pastries and coffee, espresso, wood and canvas, maple with mellow nuttiness; somewhere between an art store and coffee shop
Palate: Medium-bodied, tannic structure, ample wood, berries and coffee cake, baking spices, lacquered wood, coffee and butter pastries, mellow caramel and maple with time.
Finish: Long and drying with coffee shop pastries, wood, and fruit.
Mental Image: Opening Shift Pastry Duty.
Conclusion: Blackberries and holly led a parade of blueberries, lemons, and buttery pastries through an early morning coffee shop. The smell of coffee cake, espresso, and freshly ground dark roasted beans filled the air and awoke the appetite to the delight of a maple pecan scone. Aromatic woods and canvas with a touch of pepper brought back memories of the family art store and the aisles of frames and canvas. Medium-bodied and tannic; berries and spiced coffee cake arrived first with nutmeg, cinnamon, and walnut oil. Lacquered wood took hold as the fruits faded and before more coffee and buttery pastries developed. Coffee shop notions were in full swing with a touch of caramel, maple, and candied nuts. The finish was long and slightly trying with lacquered wood, dry pastries, and subtle fruit.
Wow. Wood-forward, yes, but this was hardly the sort of oak brutalism I occasionally complain about. The malt, which in this instance was Genie barley, balanced beautifully against the new oak to create subtle, interconnected layers of flavor. It was something akin to the first gust of warm air that escapes a coffee shop on a cool morning as you crack open the door. As a long-time barista, those aromas and flavors trigger a profoundly bittersweet nostalgia.
Overall, an absolute delight showcasing the rich depth of flavors Copperworks produces.
Final Score: 85.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 