Coopers’ Craft Barrel Reserve

A little background

Brown-Foreman has decided to release a second product under its Coopers’ Craft label called Barrel Reserve.  Coopers’ Craft was created in 2016 in honor of barrel making and the new Coopers’ Craft Barrel Reserve was aged in barrels that were chiseled after being charred to increase the interaction of the whiskey and wood.  It retails for around $30-$35 and comes in at 100⁰.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn.)

Color in the Glass

Medium Amber

Nose

Allspice, nutmeg, caramel, orange zest, and apricot.  Spice notes balance out the bright fruits.

Palate

Spicy oak (allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon), milk chocolate, vanilla, and burnt sugar.

Finish

Surprising long with the spices continuing to dominate. Oak, chocolate, and coconut (think Mounds Bar) round everything out.

In closing

When I heard Brown-Forman was going to release a new bourbon under their Coopers’ Craft label I barely noticed because well it’s Coopers’ Craft.  So, when I saw it at my friendly neighborhood liquor store I thought “what the hell, it’s just $35 dollars and I might as well see what it’s all about.”  Long story short, I wasn’t expecting much but my feelings changed as soon as I tried it and I have continued to be impressed with this release every time I’ve returned to it.  I’ll even go as far as to say it’s the best $35 I’ve spent on whiskey in a very long time.