Copperworks Distilling 2026 Farmsmith American Single Malt Whiskey Review

 

image courtesy of Copperworks Distilling Co

Copperworks Distilling Co. of Seattle, Washington, was founded by Jason Parker and Micah Nutt in 2013. Both had backgrounds in craft brewing and were curious about what would happen if they distilled high-quality craft beer into 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.

 

If you're new to the scene of American Single Malt Whiskey, you may wonder how it differentiates itself from other whiskeys. In January of 2025, 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, charred or uncharred, oak casks 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.

 

Today, we're exploring the 2026 release of Farmsmith, which celebrates the barley fields of Washington by showcasing the impact of a single variety, single farm, and single growing year barley. As the years change, so will this whiskey. While the previous version of Farmsmith, which I reviewed in 2024, was distilled from Baronesse barley grown at Joseph's Grainery in Colfax, Washington, this year's release is made from a single varietal, Genie Pale Malt, from Coulee Hite Farms in Reardan, and was malted by LINC Malt in Spokane.

"We've only been able to source Genie Pale Malt from this hot dry zone once in our history. That makes this release genuinely rare, not just limited, but unrepeatable. The terroir from Reardan's growing conditions in 2020 is captured in these bottles." – Jason Parker, Co-Founder and President

 

The 2026 Farmsmith can be purchased online or from its tasting rooms in Seattle and Kemore. Is it worth picking up? Thankfully, Copperworks Distilling Co was kind enough to provide me with a sample in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. Let's #DrinkCurious and discover the answer! 

 

• Whiskey Type: American Single Malt
• Distiller: Copperworks Distilling Co
• Age: 5 years and 3 months
• Mashbill: 100% Genie Pale Malt barley
• Cooperage: Four new American oak casks
• Alcohol Content: 50% ABV (100°)
• Price per 700mL: $69.99

 

Appearance: I used a Glencairn glass to explore Farmsmith neat. Its copper-amber color suggested it was an active sleeper over that five-plus-year period. A medium-thick rim produced a wavy curtain and husky, crazed tears.

 

Nose: As I was waiting for the whiskey to acclimate, the air in my whiskey library was filled with sweet vanilla. Once I began actually nosing my glass, I found notes of toffee, maple sugar, mild oak, and black cherries. Drawing the vapor through my lips exposed more maple sugar.   

 

Palate: Farmsmith's texture was thin and silky. There was a bold, malty punch. On the front of my palate, I tasted pineapples, orange peel, and maple sugar. As it crossed my mid-palate, I plucked nutmeg, fresh leather, and milk chocolate. The back featured notes of cocoa, lightly-roasted coffee, and clove.

 

Finish: Cinnamon, toffee, milk chocolate, clove, and maple sugar engaged in a chain dance. It was harmonious, with no component even attempting to overshadow another. It was soft, even-keeled, and had a medium duration at 1:09.  

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: I found this American Single Malt rather enchanting. The nose was sweet and slightly fruity, which carried over into the beginning of my tasting experience. Then came an obvious transition as things moved from savory to spicy at the end. Yet, the spice was anything but bold; it somehow complemented the sweeter notes.

 

I found Farmsmith to be perfectly proofed. Sure, it could be interesting to taste it at cask strength, but that's more a curiosity than anything else. I loved every bit of this whiskey, and in fact, it may be one of my favorite non-peated releases from Copperworks Distilling Co. It deserves your consideration, and is well worth picking up a Bottle. 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.