Review by: dustbunna
Distillery: Copperworks.
Bottler: American Single Cask.
Region: Pacific Northwest, USA.
ABV: 62.45%. Cask strength.
Age: 6 years. Distilled in 2017. Bottled in 2023.
Cask type: Refill American ex-malt.
Price: $37 USD for 250mL (bottle split, full bottle cost $110).
Natural Color. Non-chill-filtered.
Bottle open across approx. 3 months, notes taken leisurely across that period. Bold notes taken beneath the shoulder, regular-formatted notes taken further into the bottle past the halfway point, italicized notes taken towards the heel.
Nose: some prickliness from the high ABV, moss, water unlocks peach gummies and green leaves, bright lemon-lime candy.
Palate: thick ~ hot peppers, a hint of asphalt, water brings out old oiled wood, red fruit candies, peaches, spearmint, pine needles, camphor.
Finish: medium-long ~ more oiled wood and fruit, peach candy, apple candy, hints of pickling spices.
Conclusion: American Single Cask is a one-man independent bottling operation focused on American whisky of all kinds, all released at full proof without any coloring or chill filtration. I really admire what they’re doing, so some friends and I decided to split their first three American single malt releases to check out what they’re all about. This Copperworks is from a refill ex-malt cask, a descriptor akin to Bruichladdich’s “second fill virgin oak”– it’s likely this is the second filling of a cask that held Copperworks’s own spirit.
What results is a really nice spirit-forward combination of resinous and fruity notes, with the wood offering just enough structure in the background. There’s also a green quality to it that emerges through its leafy, camphorous, woody, and savory elements, and an almost rye-like spiciness that comes in at the very end. It’s quite hot when neat, but takes water generously and gracefully. Overall, a great whisky with which to spend some time—and another excellent American distillery for me to explore with more focus.
Final Score: 86.
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 