Fermented prune | Barreled aged molasses | Soy sauce | Charred oak

Plum | Raisin | Black cherry | Stewed cranberry | Fermented dark fruits

Prune | Dates | Black currant | Cola syrup | Dry aftertaste

For this limited release by Copper Works, they acquired a 200 year old oloroso sherry barrel that was used to hold sherry intended to be color corrected. Many sherry companies used to pride themselves on color consistency among their sherry batches, and if a particular batch came out too light, a color cask was used to “fix” its color. In recent years, sherry companies have felt that consumers are less concerned with consistency and more about authenticity, and the need for color casks has lessened. This has allowed Copperworks to purchase a color cask (which would have been unheard of years ago) and create this limited release.  

Using their in-house distilled American single malt, they aged it for nearly 5 years in this color cask. This was a bold move, as many producers would simply finish their whiskey in it instead of entirely aging a whiskey in it. The result is a whiskey that doesn’t taste like an American single malt or a sherry, instead going in a different direction altogether.

Given that a color cask was used over and over to hold ultra-dark sherry, which helped to prime the color cask before lighter sherry went into it to be color corrected, this means there are traces of seemingly ultra-aged sherry within its barrel staves. The result is an American single malt with an aroma filled with fermented prune scents, barrel-aged molasses, and soy sauce. The palate features a range of dark fruits with a distinct fermented taste. The finish is similar, ending on a dry aftertaste.

To say Copperworks Color Cask American Single Malt is one of the most unique American single malts you’ll ever taste would be an understatement. It’s hard to say if it speaks to more single malt drinkers or sherry ones. Given how strong the flavors are and their fermented taste, it isn’t something many will instantly love, but the uniqueness factor is through the roof and will pique anyone's curiosity. It’s doubtful this style will ever catch on with the masses, but if uniqueness is important to you, Copperworks Color Cask American Single Malt is hard to top.