Koopers "Father’s Office" Cigar Blend Bourbon Review

 

Founded in 2012 by Troy and Michelle Kooper in Ledbetter, Texas, Koopers Family Whiskey came about despite neither having an inside edge in the spirits industry. Troy had a background in design. Michelle was a full-time homemaker and mother of two, who made everything for the family that she could, including soap and toothpaste!

 

The idea came while they were sharing a pour of whiskey at the kitchen table. Troy made his first two stills in that family kitchen. He tinkered with them until he discovered the “right” way to make whiskey. However, for the quantities required, he found that task daunting and, instead, he and Michelle decided to become blenders and leave the distilling part to the seasoned pros.

 

Making their dream happen required a ton of money and time. Tim kept working his regular full-time job and also acted as a whiskey maker. Michelle did the same. In 2015, Koopers Family Whiskey’s first batches were available for purchase.

 

That brings us to the subject of today’s review: Father’s Office Cigar Blend, a Straight Bourbon double-finished using Amburana and Mizurana staves.  

 

“Father’s Office, like a cigar, is made for sharing. It’s about slowing down, spending meaningful time with someone who matters to you, and appreciating the evolving layers of flavor through deep conversation. Amburana and Mizunara gave us tools to add spice, warmth, and complexity without overpowering the bourbon itself.” - Troy Kooper, Master Blender

 

Distilled by MGP, Father’s Office began its journey from a mashbill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. It aged two years in Indiana, then another six in Ledbetter. Once matured, it was blended and then finished with Brazilian Amburana oak staves for seven weeks and Japanese Mizunara oak staves for twelve weeks, and is packaged at 57% ABV (114°).

 

Father’s Office is a two-barrel limited-release yielding just 378–750mL bottles and will be available for purchase beginning at 11:00 am on June 13 at the Koopers Whiskey Texas Tasting Room, located at 100 West U.S. 290, Ledbetter, TX. It is also available for purchase online, with pre-sale orders starting on June 2, priced at $84.00.

 

The big question, of course, is whether you should try to snag one? Thankfully, I can answer that because Koopers Family Whiskey was kind enough to send me a sample of Father’s Office in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. Let’s #DrinkCurious and figure this out.

 

• Whiskey Type: Bourbon
• Distiller: Ross & Squibb (MGP)
• Age: 8 years (6 years in Texas)
• Mashbill: 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley
• Cooperage: New, 53-gallon charred oak barrels, then finished with Brazilian Amburana oak staves (7 weeks) and Japanese Mizunara oak staves (12 weeks)
• Alcohol Content: 57% ABV (114°)
• Price per 750mL: $84.00
• 378 bottle yield

 

Appearance: I used a Glencairn glass to explore Father’s Office neat. I observed a brilliant, honey-amber colored whiskey that created a medium-thick rim, releasing a curtain of wavy tears.  

 

Nose: I sat patiently for about 15 minutes before engaging with the aroma. When I brought the glass to my nostrils, there was an explosion of Amburana, which, apparently, I was unprepared for. After clearing my sinuses and returning to the sniffing journey, I was still pummelled by the cachaça influence. I tried once more, exploring every angle I could between my chin and nose. That was the sole note. I shrugged, then took the vapor into my mouth, and encountered vanilla and oak.

 

Palate: My first sip revealed a creamy texture with far less Amburana than I had expected (based on the nosing) – oak spice dominated. I took a second sip, and on the front of my palate, I tasted vanilla icing, cinnamon rolls, and freshly-grated coconut meat. The mid-palate featured flavors of English toffee, caramel, and chocolate, while the back included clove, oak tannins, and tobacco.

 

Finish: The finish was initially soft but quickly ramped to a crescendo, with notes of clove, oak, and black pepper. It lasted 1:02, which I’d consider medium-long, although afterward there was a sensation of chewy oak that remained along both sides of my upper frenulum.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: I like Amburana. I enjoy whiskeys aged (or finished) in Mizunara oak. I have so much respect for blenders who play with finishing processes. Saying that, I still expect the whiskey’s character to remain, and I’m immediately suspicious as to why it would be drowned out.  

 

The nosing was a lost cause and had me gravely concerned. Yet, I was pleasantly surprised when the palate countermanded the aroma. It was, without a doubt, a save, and I’m assuming that’s due to the assist from the Mizunara.

 

Father’s Office Cigar Blend is an incredibly easy sipper that drinks way under its stated proof. If you’ve read my reviews for any period of time, you know that I classify these whiskeys as dangerous, because it is impossible to judge how you’re affected by the alcohol until you stand up. I enjoyed the balance of sweet and spice.

 

If you’re wondering how Father’s Office Cigar Blend would pair with a cigar, well, I can’t help you there. I don’t partake in tobacco products. But, I can tell you that it is a lovely pour once you get past the aroma.

 

Father’s Office Cigar Blend is on the pricy side, and on my Bottle, Bar, or Bust rating system, that’s the entire reason why it is a Bar. 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.