Copperworks Barleywine Finish American Single Malt Whiskey Review

If you’ve read my reviews over the last, say, three years, you know that I’m a fanboy of the American Single Malt category. That’s not a poke at Bourbons or American Ryes; the category is unique and almost magical, partly because the legalities of what makes an American Single Malt haven’t been finalized. Distillers can tinker around while waiting for the TTB to approve the proposed rules.

 

Those rules are as follows:

• It must be made from 100% malted barley;
• It must be entirely a product of one distillery;
• It must be mashed, distilled, and aged entirely in the United States;
• It must be aged in oak casks of 700 liters or less;
• It must be distilled at 80% ABV (160°) or less; and
• It must be packaged at 40% ABV (80°) or more.

 

I’ve been drinking American Single Malts longer than the last three years, but in my opinion, that’s when we started seeing (and tasting) what I’ll simply call “good stuff.” One of the distilleries that has consistently impressed me with “good stuff” is Copperworks Distilling Co., out of Seattle.

 

Today, I’m exploring its Barleywine Cask American Single Malt Whiskey. This was a collaboration between Copperworks and Urban Family Brewing Co., also located in Seattle.

 

The first question you’re probably asking yourself is, What’s barleywine? It is a robust English ale that’s been around for centuries. It is known for being very malty and has elevated alcohol content (about 8-13% ABV and higher).

 

The Barleywine Cask began its life using the distillery’s five-malt recipe in Cask No. 023-2, a refill cask that previously held another Copperworks American Single Malt. It spent seven years maturing in the cask. In the meantime, Urban Family had aged a 13.5% ABV barleywine in a former Copperworks barrel for seven months. That barrel was returned to Copperworks when Urban Family was done with it. Copperworks, in turn, transferred the contents of Cask No. 023-2 into Urban Family’s barrel and allowed it to finish for 25 days.

 

The yield was only 252 - 750ml bottles packaged at 50% ABV (100°). They can be purchased for $89.99 from the distillery or its website.

 

But, should you? We’ll answer that after I #DrinkCurious. First, I must thank Copperworks for providing me with a sample of this whiskey in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. 

 

Appearance: I poured this whiskey into my Glencairn glass and sipped it neat. It had a brassy color and created a medium rim that dropped slow straight tears.

 

Nose: Its aroma was malty; I smelled nutmeg, eucalyptus, orange zest, and grapefruit. Drawing it into my mouth offered little beyond the malted barley.

 

Palate: Barleywine’s texture was thin and weightless. There was palate shock of tangerine. The second sip allowed me to encounter pineapples, tangerines, and nutmeg. I could swear I tasted Whoppers candy at the middle, and flavors of chili peppers, cinnamon, and oak were on the back.

 

Finish: This single malt possessed an Energizer Bunny finish. It wouldn’t give up. Ancho peppers, juniper, oak, and tangerines remained.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: I’m not a beer drinker (or ale or barleywine or anything else from that beverage family). When I run into those barrel finishes, it often trips me up, and Barleywine Finish was no exception to the rule. The finishing barrel heavily influenced this whiskey, which is expected (otherwise, what’s the point?). This is one of the few Copperworks whiskeys I do not love (I don’t dislike it; I just don’t love it), and I’m giving this one a Bar rating. Cheers!  

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.