FEW Copper and Kings Bourbon is a collaboration between the FEW Distillery and the Copper & Kings Distillery. In a nutshell the folks at FEW took some of their tasty FEW Bourbon and finished it in some C&K brandy barrels and the result, as you can see below, I think was successful.
I fully enjoy the way the inherent herbal character of the FEW bourbon mixes with the heady sweetness of the C&K brandy. It results in something that’s wholly new and delightful, which we’ll dig into deeper in the FEW Copper and Kings Bourbon review below.
Whiskey Review: FEW Copper and Kings Bourbon
In FEW’s Words: FEW Copper and Kings Bourbon
“FEW Copper & Kings Bourbon Finished in American Brandy Barrels and FEW Copper & Kings Rye Whiskey Finished in American Brandy Barrels (SRP $49.99). As the names suggest, these are individual barrels of our award-winning bourbon and rye whiskey that were finished in used Copper & Kings brandy barrels for a bouquet of floral aromas. These are available at select accounts throughout Chicagoland (including Binny’s locations and for online shipping to many other states), as well as at the distillery.”
FEW Copper and Kings Bourbon price, ABV, age and other details
Region: Illinois, USA
Distiller: FEW
Mash Bill: 70% corn, 20% rye & 10% malted barley
Cask: New Charred Oak, ex-Copper & Kings American Brandy Barrels
Age: NAS
ABV: 46%
Price: $50*
FEW Copper and Kings Bourbon Tasting Notes
EYE
Copper
NOSE
Herbal, cocoa, oak, brown sugar, cinnamon, pine, dates and a bit of apples and dark fruit.
PALATE
Ripe apples, oak, cinnamon, brown sugar, herbal, pine, dates, brittle and a touch of nuts and dried fruit.
FINISH
Long and a touch chalky -> Oak, cinnamon, fruit, brandy sweetness, spice and brown sugar.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Great balance, full body and an oily feel that fades to chalky on the finish.
OVERALL – FEW Copper and Kings Bourbon
The FEW Copper and Kings Bourbon is exactly what I was hoping for with a collaboration between two craft distilleries of such high esteem and skill. The aroma immediately summoned thoughts of their brandy which prompted me to pour a glass and compare and contrast and holy crap… the brandy it strong in this one, but not unbalanced. The palate brings even more of that brandy-meets-bourbon delivery in a harmonious and elegant delivery.
FEW Copper and Kings Bourbon is good stuff. It’s kind of nuts how much I’m enjoying it and the way the two spirits blend together. I know this is a barrel finishing, but these must have been some wet barrels because the brandy essence is neck-and-neck with the bourbon and… and… and I like it. FEW Copper and Kings Bourbon is damn tasty and I’m going to stop typing now so I can finish this sample.
SCORE: 87/100 (B+)
*Disclosure: This FEW Copper and Kings Bourbon sample was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
