Caramel chew candy | Cinnamon frosting | Cream soda | Molasses | Maple syrup | Seasoned oak

Melted caramel | Browned butter | Dulce de leche cheesecake | Turtle brownie

Caramel pecan pie | Melted caramel | Mocha | Seasoned oak

Onyx & Amber launched in April 2025 in Denver, Colorado, by Benjamin Rosen, growing out of his decade-plus involvement with the Colorado Bourbon & Rye Collectors group, which conducted more than 150 single barrel selections and raised over $500,000 for charity. The company works out of the former Rising Sun Distillery and focuses on sourcing whiskey and aging/finishing it almost entirely in Colorado. Though people may be quick to cite the area's high altitude as their differentiating factor, the company instead emphasizes the effects of Colorado's dry climate and dramatic barometric-pressure swings, which they say drive greater interaction between the whiskey and oak and produce a “richer, more viscous, more concentrated product than the same distillate aged anywhere else.”

In late 2025, Onyx & Amber launched “Copper Buffalo” Batch 1, an 18 year old American light whiskey that was finished in ex-Buff Turkey barrels. They followed it up in early 2026 with a non-finished 20 year old light whiskey that featured a deeply sweet and dessert-like flavor profile we called “a delicious-tasting pour.” “Copper Buffalo” Batch 2 began as part of the 20 year old light whiskey batching that was pulled off and put in 18 year old ex-Buff Turkey barrels for an additional about 6 months, where it crossed the 21 year old mark.

The key with “Copper Buffalo” Batch 2 is it already started dessert-like. Adding high aged Buff Turkey barrels helped double down on the caramel notes that were already present, and further elevate them to new intensity. Caramel completely dominates Batch 2, but it isn’t in the same manner you get with a younger, more traditional tasting bourbon featuring a caramel note. Instead, Batch 2’s caramel note is warm and gooey, producing buttery richness throughout.

It starts with an incredible, dessert-like aroma, with scents of caramel chew candy, cinnamon frosting, cream soda, molasses, maple syrup, and seasoned oak. The palate opens with warm, melted caramel that is buttery and almost dairy-like in its viscosity. Brown butter, Dulce de leche cheesecake, and nutty turtle brownie follow. The finish isn’t dramatically different, with more caramel and pecan in a pastry-crusted pie. Melted caramel follows again, then mocha and seasoned oak to close things out.

Given the more caramel and seasoned oak notes found in “Copper Buffalo,” the whiskey’s HAZMAT proof does show a bit more. Despite its sweetness, the proof has more bite, and the flip side is the flavor intensity that follows. High proof light whiskey is often easier to sip compared to high proof bourbons due to their sweetness, and with Copper Buffalo sharing qualities of both, there is a trade-off that is made.

Onyx & Amber is on a roll with their American light whiskey releases. Each has offered slightly different flavor profiles and ever-increasing age statements. Prices have risen with each release, but given their age and the thoroughly enjoyable sip they offer, it's hard to feel shortchanged. Fans of American light whiskey will find a lot to love about “Copper Buffalo” Batch 2, and even those who feel the style of whiskey is often a bit too basic will be surprised at what this sip offers.