Origin: Seattle (USA)
Type: Single Malt American Whisky
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: WhiskyFacile
Official website: WhiskyFacile
Having missed the single cask from the same distillery a couple of years ago, this year I couldn’t resist a double whammy from Copperworks for the hottest bloggers in the world.
Two different vintages, as different as the maturations, again from US single malts that the Facili really fell in love with.
Let’s find out why…
WhiskyFacile Copperworks 2020 3yo
Strength: 57.2%ABV
Ageing cask: New charred
Price: € 95.00 on Whisky Facile
Classic American new cask ageing (with level 2 charring, so the average of 30 seconds) of a Genie quality barley distillate (Christina Aguilera’s favourite) for 245 bottles made in collaboration with Daiquiri Cocktails Bar.
Tasting Notes
The nose is a balsamic explosion, an intense wave of alpine and aromatic herbs crushed in a mortar, overlapping thyme, chamomile, pine needles, eucalyptus, mint, sage and wormwood. There is also a strong presence of barley, with malt and vegetal notes of freshly cut grass. On the base, vanilla, liquorice, spices (nutmeg, white pepper, cinnamon). Mountain-y.
On the palate, the balsamic note returns, diluted in a compote of cooked (apple, apricot, pear) and tropical fruit (pineapple, ripe banana, papaya) with winter spices. At times it is reminiscent of the apple brulé you drink at Christmas markets in north Europe. Liquorice, a hint of rhubarb, cocoa, ginger biscuits. A hint of alcoholic exuberance.
Rather long finish, balsamic and spicy, with notes of baked apple, vegetables and liquorice.
A whisky that takes you straight to Christmas in the high north, which may not remind you of Seattle, but that hardly matters. Energetic but lacking in depth, it certainly doesn’t lack personality, which is what you expect (and demand) from a single cask.
Vote: 83/100
WhiskyFacile Copperworks 2018 5yo
Strength: 57%ABV
Ageing cask: Ex-Whisky
Price: € 95.00 on Whisky Facile
Older brother by a few years (almost three), who changes the cask, no longer new, but which had previously contained whisky from Copperworks, and also the barley, with the recovery of a quality that had almost been lost, the Baronesse. The number of bottles also changed, to 225.
Tasting Notes
On the nose, the balsamic and herbaceous side is tempered by a more incisive fruity side, with thyme, mint, eucalyptus and pine needles joining cloves and nutmeg on baked apple, banana, papaya and mango. Liquorice, malt, digestive biscuits, candied ginger and a hint of coffee weave their way through the aromas. Dill. More delicate and elegant than the previous one, harmonious.
The palate opens with an impression of coffee and herbal liqueur (also some Cynar), accompanied by sweet liquorice, muscovado, malt cream, cooked fruit, dried orange with cloves and a hint of fudge. The herbal and balsamic notes become more pronounced in time, with thyme and mint in the foreground. Warm and inviting.
Quite long finish, dominated by herbal and balsamic notes, with coffee, spices, candied ginger, cooked fruit and fudge.
Almost three more years in an already ‘seasoned’ cask has given it balance and structure, although I still find it lacks a little depth to go beyond a pleasant drink.
Vote: 84/100