Disclaimer
This brandy was provided by the producer at no cost. I was not compensated for this review and this did not impact the contents of this review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
About the Producer
Copper and Kings of Louisville, KY is one of the most prominent craft brandy producers in the US. They go after a very bourbony profile with aging in ex-bourbon barrels and new charred oak and they are even on the KY Bourbon Trail. Copper and Kings uses exclusively pot distillation and never add anything to their brandy other than water. They use California grapes and ferment in CA and have the wines shipped to KY for distillation.
This is the flagship bottle for their new revised core line up under their new ownership and replaces the old Butchertown SKU. I really liked the old Butchertown so it will be interesting to compare with this new bottle now that it’s a bit older.
Details
- Made from 1/3 Chenin Blanc, 1/3 French Colombard and 1/3 Muscat of Alexandria.
- Aged 8-12 years in ex bourbon barrels and new charred oak barrels
- 57.4% abv
- Double pot distilled
- No additives other than water.
- $65 per 750ml.
Nose
Smokey char, very oaky with woodspice, dry vanilla and molasses. Traces of coconut and apple. Dry. It’s high octane and very bourbony.
Palate
Still has oak as the dominant flavor with char, oak spice. Noticeable heat. More fruit on the nose with orange marmalade. Medium sweet with brown sugar. Full bodied and flavored. Texture is full of silky tannins and has high viscosity.
Finish
Long, dry and spicy with oak and cinnamon.
Rating: 7
Overall
A great brandy, better than the old Butchertown brandy with better balance and more coherence that makes it more than the sum of it’s parts. It’s a very bourbony profile which may not be for everyone but on it’s own merits it’s very good. Strongly recommend for $65.
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite
10 | Perfect | Perfect