Wasmund's Single Malt

While awaiting a gathering, I decided to open a local bottle to satisfy my thirst. This is Wasmund's Single Malt from Copper Fox Distillery in Virginia, named after its master distiller. It's a single malt that appears to undergo continuous aging, with casks bottled periodically. My bottle has aged for 18 months and was reasonably priced at $45. Initially, I detected peculiar aromas emanating from the sample: sweet and spicy wood scents, along with potpourri. Closer inspection revealed an antiseptic quality, which was somewhat off-putting. I sincerely hoped the taste would differ significantly from the smell. On the tongue, there's a distinct cherry sweetness and a fair amount of smoke. However, it lacks balance, creating a sensation of two distinct spirits clashing in the mouth. I did not find this appealing. It also tastes and feels immature (as it is) and somewhat too light. The finish is quite brief, featuring a cherry cough drop flavor, almost artificial, and a hint of antiseptic bitterness. I was certainly relieved when it ended quickly. Overall, it's too unusual and harsh for my preferences. Perhaps it requires a more extended aging period, three years or more, to soften. I suspect those flavors might never mellow to a point I'd enjoy. Consequently, I consider it a failure. Finishing this bottle will take some time, and I anticipate sharing samples with my trading partners. Cheers. (Just kidding - I would never intentionally send out subpar spirits)

I visited this distillery in Sperryville VA and left with a kit that included several bottles of this single malt unaged spirit and a 2L oak, charred cask. I "aged" the spirits in the cask for about 4 months over the fall and winter, which was probably a month too long. The result fit the descriptions on this page, except that mine was way too charred. But starting out as 124 proof, there was room to add a fair amount of water. I brought it down to 92 proof in the bottle and add a few drops more when I drink it. With the added water and given some time to breathe, I get a nice buttery nose with a lingering campfire note. It still is ashy on the palate, but in a pleasant way. There is a lot of burn through the finish. I've tasted down nearly a bottle now, and its either getting better or my taste buds are branching out in a new direction, because I'm really enjoying it. Time to get something else going in the cask.

An intense American Single Malt Whiskey crafted by Rick Wasmund for Copper Fox Distillery in Sperryville, Virginia, aged for 42 months in Bourbon barrels. This is the only US distillery that handles all its own grain malting, using a special barley variety. The malted barley is then roasted with applewood smoke. After distillation, the spirit is placed in Bourbon casks and a packet of chips from various charred woods (oak, apple, cherry) is added. It begins intensely with notes of herbs, earth, and a hint of linseed oil; a bold middle adds notes of cherry, apple, malted barley, nuts, and char; leading to a long and fiery conclusion (similar to a cigar) with notes of oak, white pepper, cherry, and a hint of licorice. April / August 2019 / August 2022

I entered my local shop with no plan to buy, just to check out new items. A salesperson talked me into this one, stating, "it's a top-tier American malt; fans of Highland or Speyside styles must try this." I either got ripped off, or our palates are vastly different. This isn't bad, just too young. The oak is overpowering. The aroma is strongly chemical, like a cleaner. Specifically, bleach. The taste is worse, like chewing on wood. There's zero finish. Absolutely none. I'd be interested to taste this again in a few years, but I'm not sure I'd pay for that experience.

Smells like wood spice, but not oak. It's comparable to Cleveland Black Cherry Wood Finished Bourbon. Then smoke appears along with a malt funk. It smells young. The taste starts with that bold spice and slight sweetness, likely from the apple and/or cherry wood. Then the smoke builds. Then the malt comes through. It finishes heavy with young wood and smoke. This single malt is quite unique and interesting, but I feel it's a bit of a novelty. Something seems to be missing. Perhaps more age would improve this. It's definitely worth sampling at least once.

This whiskey has a brass hue with thin, watery legs. The aroma is very woody and also smells like burning paint. I genuinely dislike it. The taste is oily, bitter, excessively tannic, and has an odd kale note. The finish, if you manage to swallow it, is of medium duration and grows sweeter. Honestly, I could only manage a few sips before I couldn't stand it anymore. I discarded the remainder because it was so unpleasant! I am a fan of the American Single Malt category, but this offering does not do it justice. My apologies to Copper Fox Distillery. Cheers!