Copperworks Distilling Co "Pike Kilt Lifter Whiskey" American Single Malt Review

 

In 1989, Pike Brewing Company filled its inaugural keg in Pike Place Market, allowing Jason Parker, its first brewer, to blend his creativity, curiosity, and craftsmanship into his craft beer. All of this was happening as the craft brewing revolution was still in its infancy.

 

It was 24 years later when Copperworks Distilling Co. of Seattle, Washington, was founded by Jason and Micah Nutt. Micah also came from a brewing background, and both wondered what would happen if craft beer were distilled into whiskey and other spirits. While using traditional, hand-hammered copper stills from Scotland, Copperworks is a leader in the American Single Malt Whiskey movement, driven by innovation, sustainability, and the pursuit of Pacific Northwest flavors.

 

American Single Malt Whiskey was just legalized as a category this year. If you’re new to the scene, you may wonder how it differentiates itself from other whiskeys. In January, it became a legally defined category of whiskey with the following requirements:

• 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 either new or vintage oak casks, charred or uncharred, of 700 liters or less.
• It must be distilled at 80% ABV (160°) or less.
• It must be packaged at 40% ABV (80°) or more; and
• The only allowed additive aside from water is caramel coloring, which must be disclosed on the label.

 

All of this leads us to the subject of today’s review: Pike Kilt Lifter Whiskey. Leave it to the little boy in me, who never seems to grow up, to fall in love with a name.

 

Five years ago, Copperworks teamed up with Pike Brewing to create an unhopped version of Pike’s Kilt Lifter scotch-style ale. Jason was instrumental in developing the recipe during his tenure at Pike Brewing.

 

“We brewed the base for this whiskey using the same specifications as Pike does for their beer, and we even brewed it at Pike’s iconic gravity-fed 1st Avenue brewhouse. After more than five years maturing in new American oak casks, we are proud to present Pike Kilt Lifter Whiskey. By transforming Pike’s Kilt Lifter into whiskey, Copperworks and Pike honor a legacy of innovation, friendship, and craft that spans more than three decades.” – Jason Parker, Co-Founder and CEO

 

Pike Kilt Lifter Whiskey can be purchased from either the Seattle or Kenmore tasting rooms or from the distillery’s online store.

 

Not being a beer-drinker, I have no clue what a Scotch-style ale is supposed to taste like. But that’s all part of the #DrinkCurious adventure. Thankfully, Copperworks has provided me with a sample of Pike Kilt Lifter Whiskey in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review.

 

• Whiskey Type: American Single Malt
• Distiller: Copperworks Distilling Co.
• Age: 5+ years
• Mashbill: 100% malted barley
• Cooperage: Undisclosed
• Alcohol Content: 50% ABV (100°)
• Price per 700mL: $59.99
• 1800 bottles available

 

Appearance: I used my Glencairn glass to examine Pike Kilt Lifter Whiskey neat. The liquid had an amber-gold appearance and formed a thick rim with randomly spaced, thick, slow tears.

 

Nose: I allowed Pike Kilt Lifter Whiskey to rest about 15 minutes before approaching the nose. Once I began smelling, I discovered cinnamon toast, toffee, lemon peel, and vanilla. As I drew the air into my mouth, I experienced baked apples.

 

Palate: With my first sip, the only palate shock was a good hit of malt. The whiskey had a creamy texture. On the front, I tasted nutmeg, malt, and powdered cinnamon. Notes of lemon peel, baked apples, and dried apricots danced across my mid-palate. Flavors of dates, oak spice, and ginger were on the back.

 

Finish: Oak spice dominated, yet cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg refused to relinquish the spotlight. The baked apple component hid in the shadows, wanting to take part but seemingly unsure of itself. And then, a bitter quality rose from the floor. Using my stopwatch, the duration was 1:47, which I tossed into a longer venue.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Pike Kilt Lifter Whiskey is a warming experience that seemed well-balanced, and I enjoyed the nuances, especially the fruity notes. Those are almost requisite for an American Single Malt. I appreciated the battle to see which note would stick around the longest – in the end, it was the bitter one. It is correctly proofed and, overall, an interesting sip.

 

As I stated earlier, I’m not a beer drinker, and I don’t know what to expect from Scottish ale, but I do know what is beery, and the finish was exactly that. I could have done without the bitter ending, but again, it seems as if it was expected.

 

For $60.00, you’re getting a flavorful whiskey with a lot of character. Pike Kilt Lifter Whiskey is worth trying; I’m just on the fence about buying it. Hence, my 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.