Copperworks Distilling recently unveiled one of its latest special releases, Copperworks American Single Malt Whiskey Single Cask No. 410.
A statement from the distiller noted that Single Cask No. 410 was made from a single variety of malted barley called Fritz, developed by Washington State University.
The whiskey makers matured this American single malt in a new American oak cask for a little more than three years. It was bottled at cask strength.
The cask itself saw Char #2 on the 24-month seasoned staves from Canton Cooperage.
“Fritz is a single variety of malted barley that is grown and malted in the Skagit Valley just 70 miles north of Seattle,“ said Copperworks Vice President and Co-Owner Jeff Kanof. “This variety was originally intended for dry-land farming on the eastside of Washington. However, trials in western Washington found that Fritz grows plumper and with more flavor on this side of the state, and when making whiskey, the grain you choose matters.”
Different from other American whiskeys, American single malt is made from only one type of grain … malted barley.
“Since day one, Copperworks has sought to explore flavor possibilities by using barley grown in and around Washington to produce our American single malt whiskey,” said Copperworks President and Co-Owner Jason Parker. “Thanks to the Pacific Northwest’s varying climates and soil types, there are numerous barley varieties we can use to craft our whiskeys. We’ve partnered with local farms and malthouses to do just that.”
Their tasting notes for Copperworks American Single Malt Whiskey Single Cask No. 410 show that on the nose, it has aromas of cherry cobbler, palm sugar, burnt orange oil and subtle florals. On the palate, it tastes of orange marmalade, black cherry, tart candied orange peel, and cake batter. It finishes with a malty presence, notes of dried dates, yucca, and baking and wood spices.
In all, 211 bottles were made and the single malt clocks in at 60.35% ABV, 120.7 proof. It has a suggested retail price of $89.99 and is available at Copperworks’ Seattle Distillery and Tasting Room and online at www.copperworksdistilling.com.