Image: Copper & Cask press materials
Copper & Cask, the Boston-based brand that has built its name on limited small batch bourbons, just released “X,” its first permanent, ongoing bottling. It’s a 10-year barrel proof bourbon built from 45 hand-selected barrels, and the brand says it wanted its first ongoing release “to make a statement.” Here’s the catch worth knowing up front: the first batch has already sold out on the brand’s own site, so this one is about timing.
The Specs
Distillery: Copper & Cask (independent bottler; liquid distilled at MGP Indiana, aged in Kentucky, Indiana and Rhode Island)
Mash bill: Not fully published. The brand lists a blend of Low-Rye (21%) and High-Rye (36%) bourbon; the corn/rye/barley split is not disclosed.
Proof / ABV: 116.4 proof / 58.2% ABV
Age: 10 years (barrels of roughly 10-12 years)
Price: $69.99 SRP per the launch press coverage; the brand’s own site lists $74.99
Price segment: $50-$100
Availability: Limited. The first batch is 45 barrels (about 6,350 bottles) and the brand’s site shows it sold out; the brand says future drops will come in small batches.
Where to Find It
Start with the brand’s own shop at copperandcaskspirits.com, which ships to 37 states (free shipping on 6+ bottles) and has a store locator on the site. The launch announcement says “select retailers nationwide,” but no specific stores were named, so I won’t guess. Check the locator and ask your local shop whether they received any. Since it’s sold out at the source, expect to look a bit. This isn’t a unicorn, so if you see it priced far above the roughly $70-$75 retail, skip it, and never pay a stranger up front.
The Nose
Per the official notes, milk chocolate and salted caramel lead. Expect a sweet, dessert-leaning nose with some warmth from the proof.
The Taste
Butterscotch and chocolate-covered almonds up front, moving into chocolate cake and cherry cola in the middle. The finish is long, with toffee, mocha and candied orange peel. At 116 proof, a few drops of water may open it up.
What the distillery says: “On the nose, this Bourbon has aromas of milk chocolate and salted caramel. Once sipped, sweeter flavors of butterscotch and chocolate-covered almonds appear, along with notes of chocolate cake and cherry cola. The finish is long and layered with hints of toffee, mocha and candied orange peel.” (Copper & Cask)
The Verdict: TRY
A 10-year, barrel proof bourbon at around $70 is good value on paper, and the flavor profile suggests a pour for people who like their bourbon sweet and rich. Two honest caveats: it’s sourced MGP whiskey (which the brand states openly), and the mash bill isn’t fully disclosed. If you find a bottle at retail, it’s worth a try.
What are you pouring this week? Drop it in the comments.
Please drink responsibly.