Copper Fox Original Single Malt

[8.31.21] Make a note for next year to decline the board presidency. Feeling inclined to drink, I sought something new and discovered this bottle from our trip to Williamsburg in the middle of COVID. I can't recall the price, but it was a worthwhile purchase. Batch 167, 96 proof. Consume this at room temperature. [Adding ice introduces metallic and oxidized flavors (reminiscent of a poorly executed homebrew kit) that overpower the taste profile. (I questioned if my ice was the issue, but my children assure me it's fine.)] However, this is a remarkably fine smoky malt with initial sweetness that transitions to a sourness, ending with a bitterness akin to the finish of a cheap cigarette. It's straightforward, not excessively salty or floral, and lacks complex barrel character. Simply American single malt, from beginning to end.

A distinctive American Single Malt Whisky from the founder of a Virginia distillery. The grain is smoked and dried with local fruit woods instead of peat, then aged up to 18 months in former Bourbon barrels and finished with toasted applewood. It has an aromatic beginning with hints of smoke, suede, honey, olive tapenade, and dried fruit chutney; while a complex journey led to a lengthy and spicy end with notes of marmalade, apple, root beer, and rye toast. July 2020 / August 2022

I'm not sure about the negative feedback. Maybe it's from a different batch, but I genuinely enjoyed the bottle we had. (Batch 151, acquired in 2019.) I detected the smokiness of a peaty scotch, yet it also had some sweetness and a touch of fruitiness. My partner, who dislikes peaty scotches, also found it enjoyable. I was considering buying another bottle, but after looking at more recent reviews, I'm reconsidering.

This might be the worst whiskey I've ever had. I suspect the issue stems mainly from their drying process. Far too much smoke. I can imagine it's similar to what an investigator would smell entering a burnt building. I may attempt to blend some of this with a lighter Scotch single malt to finish the bottle, but otherwise, I regret buying it.

Fresh aroma like lemongrass or something herbaceous, hay. Also has a subtle hay taste. It has significant heat initially, and smelling it stings my nose. But it fades quickly. I believe it mellows nicely and becomes slightly sweeter with water. I would likely always prefer it with water, which is unusual for me… 3 without water, 4 with water.

I'm not impressed; if you enjoy the taste of leather, this one is for you! It's not a subtle hint of leather, but a strong presence, like a leather glove hitting you. As a resident of this area of VA, I'm let down by this whiskey, and the price is quite high ($45) for the quality.