Coopers’ Craft Bourbon was born in 2016 when Brown-Forman added its first new bourbon brand in 20 years. The last was Woodford Reserve and that worked out well. Just a few years after their birth, Coopers’ Craft expanded their line adding the Barrel Reserve 100 Proof. That’s a promising start for a young brand helmed by an experienced distillery like Brown-Forman.
Since 1945, Brown-Forman is the only major American whiskey distillery that also owns its own Cooperage. Coopers’ Craft pays homage to the hard-working coopers who make aging whiskey possible. After all, the barrel and wood are a critical part of the whiskey’s flavor development. I love that these bourbons are experimental in a way. The Coopers’ Craft goes through a beech and birch charcoal filter finishing process, and the Barrel Reserve uses a specially crafted chiseled and charred American White Oak barrel that deepens the whiskey’s contact with the wood.
I don’t know what’s in the cards for these whiskeys, but I’d love to see what something around 10 years old might look like with either of these techniques.
Related:
- Old Forester Birthday Bourbon Reviewed
- Old Forester Whiskey Row Series Reviewed
- Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength Reviewed
- Old Forester Master Taster Singel Barrel Reviewed
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Table of Contents
Coopers’ Craft Bourbon Review
| Coopers' Craft Bourbon | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 82.2 Proof |
| ABV | 41.1% |
| Mashbill | 75% corn 21% rye 4% malted barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Louisville, KY |
| Bottled | Brown-Forman |
| Age | NAS (Aged 4-6 years) |
| Style | Beech and Birch Charcoal Filter Finishing Process |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $29 |
| Pros | Refreshing and Crisp Palate |
| Cons | Lacks Complexity |
| Availability | Nationwide |
| Rating | Silver 88 out of 100 Points |
| Inventory | Solid Summertime Drinker |
According to Coopers’ Craft,
Coopers’ Craft Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is aged in a traditional American White Oak barrel. After aging, the bourbon is removed from the barrels and taken through our Beech and Birch charcoal-filter finishing process creating a smooth and flavorful bourbon bottled at 82.2 proof.
Cooper’s Craft has great viscosity and creamy, thick legs. The color in my Glencairn whiskey glass is amber.
Nose – 86 out of 100 Points
Cooper Craft has a delicate caramel overtone, supported by apples, pears, and just a hint of savory cinnamon and oak.
Taste – 92 out of 100 Points
This is a refreshing bourbon. It’s creamy vanilla, peach, and pear yogurt with a bright burst of tart apple. The back of the palate offers just subtle orange and oak notes.
Finish – 91 out of 100 Points
The finish is pear and tart apple and rounding out of gentle oak and just a peep of white pepper.
Verdict – Silver 88 out of 100 Points
I’ve seen this around but this is my first stab at it, and I’m delightfully surprised. I enjoy fruits notes in bourbon but this was something else entirely. It was bright, crisp, and subtle but balanced. I will be grabbing another bottle or two to keep in the bunker.
Coopers’ Craft Barrel Reserve 100 Proof Review
| Coopers’ Craft Barrel Reserve Bourbon | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 100 Proof |
| ABV | 50% |
| Mashbill | 75% corn 21% rye 4% malted barley |
| Distilled and Aged | Louisville, KY |
| Bottled | Brown-Forman |
| Age | NAS |
| Style | Chiseled and Charred American White Oak Barrel |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $33 |
| Pros | Delicious Nose and Palate |
| Cons | Finish Lacking |
| Availability | Nationwide |
| Rating | Silver 89.3 out of 100 Points |
| Inventory | Buy It |
According to Coopers’ Craft,
Coopers’ Craft Barrel Reserve is aged in a unique chiseled and charred American White Oak barrel that deepens the whiskey’s wood exposure, creating a robust and complex bourbon bottled at 100 proof.
Nose – 90 out of 100 Points
The nose is deeply caramelized sugars — caramel and molasses. There’s also rich barrel char and pears.
Taste – 91 out of 100 Points
The palate is deliciously sweet like a vanilla, white chocolate-covered apple. Just a hint of bitterness on the tip of the tongue counterbalances all the sweetness. The back of the palate is a sweet and creamy béchamel sauce with white pepper and charred cinnamon.
Finish – 87 out of 100 Points
The finish lacks the balance and complexity of the nose and palate. It’s short to medium with prominent tannic oak and hints of vanilla, pear, and white pepper.
Verdict – Silver 89.3 out of 100 Points
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Written by Matty Sims
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