Copperworks Distilling was founded in 2008 by Jason Parker and Micah Nutt in Seattle, both of whom have a background in brewing. The first number of years were spent learning about various elements of the craft spirits distilling via their work with gin and vodka, which they then used to inform their whiskey production. They are currently releasing their whiskey in individual batches, wherein each release has its own personality. Eventually the goal is to use this variety – along with the time to continually create and lay down stock – to hone in on a flagship release with core profile. They are active in the broader whiskey community in the United States and are at the forefront of regulatory standardization through their membership in several trade groups.
Balvenie 15 Year Single Barrel Sherry Cask
This Balvenie 15 year is aged entirely in an ex-Oloroso sherry butt. A butt is a type of cask standard for aging sherry, approximately 475-500 liters. Because of the larger size, there is less surface area per amount of liquid and thus the cask impact is lessened. This may be why this particular offering spends its entire life in the same sherry butt, as opposed to other releases where the sherry cask is used only at the end. Unlike other age statement single malts, which contain a variety of ages with only the youngest listed, this Balvenie is 15 years only, no younger or no older.