Cooper’s Craft Barrel Reserve

My Price: $29.95

Country/Area: Kentucky, USA

Distillery: Brown-Forman

Proof/ABV: 100 Proof/50% ABV

Mash Bill: Blend of 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley and 79% Corn, 11% Rye, 10% Malted Barley

Barrel: New Oak that has been “post-char chiseled” for additional wood impact

Age: No age statement (at least 4 years old)

Nose: Pound Cake, Caramel, Green Apple

Taste: Bread, Honey, Oak

Review: As a self-proclaimed fan boy of Brown Forman, specifically their Old Forester products, I was very excited to learn that Coopers’ Craft Barrel Reserve 100 Proof was a mix of the Old Forester Mash Bill and the Early Times Mash Bill that was aged in barrels that had groves chiseled into them after being charred. This unique process allows for interaction with the wood and, so they say, leads to a deeper wood impact. Although the Coopers’ Craft is non age stated it does have deep oak on both the nose and palate and drinks a bit lighter than it’s 100 proof would lead you to believe. I enjoy its sweet characteristics and would love to try it head-to-head with Old Forester 100. If you enjoy things on the sweeter side this may be the bourbon for you. Cheers!

My Rating: Stock it!

May the miles you hike be filled with wonder and the glasses you raise be filled with whiskey.

Cheers!

Rating scale:

-Spit: Don’t bother with this one. If a friend gives you a dram of it, are they even your friend?

-Shoot: Good enough to get you drunk.

-Sip: Tasty enough to enjoy neat or on the rocks.

-Stock: I’d recommend keeping a bottle on hand.