A little background
Copper & Cask Wave That Flag 9-Year Double Oak Bourbon Finished In New Wave Stave Barrels is a patriotically inspired limited release bottled at 117 proof (58.5% ABV) and retailing for $74.99 — with only 3,000 bottles produced. Built around a blend of low-rye bourbon barrels (21% rye mash bill), mostly aged in Kentucky, the whiskey gets its “double oak” character from a secondary finish in ZAK Cooperage Wave Stave Char 1 barrels across four different toast levels. The concept behind the Copper and Cask Wave That Flag release is straightforward: new American oak has always been central to bourbon’s identity, and for America’s 250th anniversary, Barrel Master Stephen Corrigan wanted to lean into that influence as hard as possible. The result, according to the producer, is a dark, bold bourbon loaded with caramel sweetness and fruit — unapologetically American, as they put it.
Copper & Cask operates as an independent bottler sourcing aged whiskey from a range of distilleries, primarily out of Indiana, with stocks aged across Kentucky, Texas, Florida, and beyond. Corrigan brings serious credentials to the table — over 15 years in distillation, aging, and blending, including two Best in Class medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. He’s also been closely involved with the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture for nearly 15 years, and $1 from every bottle of Copper and Cask Wave That Flag 9-Year Double Oak Bourbon goes toward supporting that organization’s Veteran Farmer Training Program. It’s a meaningful cause attached to an already compelling release. The producer describes the nose as cherry cola and burnt sugar, with vanilla bean paste, dark caramel, rock candy, and fresh orange zest on the palate, and a long finish of toffee, maraschino cherry, and pipe tobacco — a profile that leans heavily into dessert territory from start to finish.
(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)
Color
Dark Gold
| Mash Bill | Nose | Taste | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blend of low rye Bourbon (21% rye), mostly aged in Kentucky | Maple syrup, nutmeg, vanilla custard, cherry, milk chocolate, oak, burnt sugar | Maple syrup , toasted sugar, dark caramel, vanilla custard, nutmeg and oak | Cinnamon spice, cherry, toffee, fresh whipped cream, sweet pipe tobacco, and oak. |
In closing
At the end of the day, Copper and Cask Wave That Flag 9-Year Double Oak Bourbon Finished In New Wave Stave Barrels is a genuinely impressive limited release that punches well above its price point. The dessert-forward profile is rich and indulgent — maple syrup, vanilla custard, dark caramel, and milk chocolate on the nose give way to a palate that layers toasted sugar and nutmeg with real depth, and the finish lingers with cinnamon spice, toffee, whipped cream, and sweet pipe tobacco. What’s particularly notable is how well-integrated the finishing is — at 117 proof with a secondary oak treatment, this could easily have come across as overcooked or over-oaked, but the Wave Stave finish feels seamless rather than heavy-handed. The mouthfeel is oily and satisfying, exactly what you want from a cask-strength pour of this nature. For a 9-year-old special release bourbon at $74.99, the Copper and Cask Wave That Flag 9-Year Double Oak Bourbon represents outstanding value in a market where younger, lesser whiskeys regularly command the same or higher prices. The only real downside? It’s already sold out. If you come across a bottle on a secondary shelf or at a retailer with remaining stock, don’t hesitate — and know that your purchase is supporting a veteran farmer program worth backing.
NOTE: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Copper & Cask. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.
Copper and Cask Wave That Flag 9-Year Double Oak Bourbon Finished In New Wave Stave Barrels
The Good
- Dessert flavor profile
- Great value
- Supports good cause
The Bad
- Limited + Sold out
