Five years ago two things came into existence. One is the often-rambling, somewhat meandering whiskey blog you’re currently reading. The second, and much more important, is a small brandy distillery that had the balls to open in the heart of bourbon country, Copper & Kings.
To celebrate this anniversary, the distillery released ‘A Song For You,’ a limited edition American brandy finished in ex-bourbon barrels.
“This is a celebration of survival as much as anything,” said Joe Heron, Copper & Kings founder. The limited edition release is a “thank you to anyone who ever bought a bottle of Copper & Kings American brandy.”
Bottled at 100 proof, ‘A Song For You’ features a blend of eaux de vie aged 8 to 18 years. This blend is the part of the originally sourced stock that kicked off the distillery’s offerings five years ago, made mostly from Muscat de Alexandrie, Chenin Blanc, and French Colombard. It’s been resting in ex-bourbon barrels for the past half decade. Brandy by way of bourbon, indeed.
I’ve got to say, this brandy is fantastic. Aromatic on the nose, it features hints of spiced cherries, slightly burnt caramel, spice, and floral top notes. Taste-wise, the fruity grapes hit the palate first, but are quickly followed by a wave of dark berries, dried figs, and spice. Bittersweet cocoa leads to a long, fruity, and somewhat dry finish.
‘A Song For You’ feels like a Copper & Kings release. It’s big, bold, rich, and flavorful. It’s pleasing to casually sip with friends and yet complex enough to be studied in a Glencairn glass or brandy snifter. This release hints at what the distillery can do as its stocks further mature, and that’s a road I’d like to travel. Highly recommended. 8.5/10
Thanks to Copper & Kings for the sample. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
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