Copperworks American Single Malt (Release No. 035)

Background: I took part in a spirits tasting event via Zoom featuring whiskies from around the world. I received ten small samples, but one was actually rum. I'm delighted to have discovered a rum that challenged my preference for bourbon. This tasting event was a present for my partner's 50th birthday, so I got sample boxes for both of us, and we joined the Zoom call together. It was a lot of fun, and I'm glad we had two boxes because by the final few samples, my notes became a bit questionable due to a significant buzz. Even with palate cleansers and coffee beans, I'm sure my tasting wasn't as sharp as it was for the initial samples. We wisely decided to just share the first box and save the second to taste over a week to confirm our findings. REVIEW: Appearance: A pale amber color with visible legs. Nose: Notes of raw sugar, steel-cut oats, red delicious apples, and graham cracker. Feel: A tangy sensation with warmth from cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger. Flavor: Graham cracker like the nose, sassafras, lemon, and the baking spices mentioned in the mouthfeel. It evokes all the sensations of autumn, from being near a campfire to drinking fresh apple cider at a local festival. It's sweet but not excessively so, with a graham cracker flavor that borders on sweet without being too dessert-like. This also brings to mind s'mores and that campfire feeling, with just the right amount of smoke to enhance that experience. I'm quite enjoying the recipe for this one! My notes said: Unusual, vibrant, and exciting – I love it; it's unique and enjoyable. I would purchase this.

Vanilla and caramel on the nose. The taste is unexpectedly spicy, with a slightly oily and leathery texture. A spicy sensation remains in the aftertaste, accompanied by some added bitterness.

A great addition to the collaborative event. It's reminiscent of lemon meringue pie. Distinctive and enjoyable.

Grain flavors dominate, with hints of pineapple and leather on the nose. It has a sweet and slightly salty character. It's decent.

Cedar, vanilla, lemon meringue, grass, and cinnamon. Tastes of warm caramel, baking spices, wood, and cake.

Sweet fruit and syrup hit you first, with a clear pineapple presence. A whisper of salt. It's like a gourmet fruit leather. Citrusy.