FEW Copper and Kings Rye is another experiment by the folks at FEW and Copper & Kings, this time taking their amazing rye whiskey and finishing it in C&K brandy barrels. Two delicious spirits I’m a big fan of on their own, so in theory they should be great when combined right?
Well, sipping some C&K brandy and FEW rye next to the FEW Copper & Kings Rye I have to say… I prefer the brandy on its own and the rye on its own to the combo. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good and it’s interesting, but… well… we’ll get into the details in the FEW Copper & Kings Rye review after a word from the maker.
Whiskey Review FEW Copper and Kings Rye
In FEW’s Words: FEW Copper and Kings Rye
“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-wiausenning 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 Rye price, ABV, age and other details
Region: Illinois, USA
Distiller: FEW
Mash Bill: 70% Rye, 20% Corn & 10% Malted barley
Cask: New Charred Oak, ex-Copper & Kings American Brandy Barrels
Age: NAS
ABV: 46%
Price: $50*
FEW Copper and Kings Rye Tasting Notes
EYE
Copper
NOSE
Sweet dill pickles (like Bread and Butter Dill), candied fruit, oak, spice, pine, cocoa, Bananas Foster, brown sugar and a touch of toffee, sugared grapes and an herbal character.
PALATE
Sugared grapes, dilly spice, oak, brown sugar, citrus peels, honey and some almonds.
FINISH
Medium -> Dilly spice, brandy sweetness, brown sugar, cinnamon, oak and olive oil.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Ok balance, medium body and an oily feel that fades out dry.
FEW Copper and Kings Rye Review – OVERALL
FEW Copper & Kings Rye is ok, it’s not nearly as good as its bourbon counterpart and truly the overall essence of the whiskey reminds me of a MGP rye. The combination of herbal + sweetness ends up mimicking the essence of a young 95/5 MGP rye. It doesn’t copy it exactly, but that was the first thought I had when sipping it. The good news is that it’s pleasant and an interesting result, but it’s not exciting or different enough from existing whiskies.
The FEW Copper & Kings Bourbon I loved, but this FEW Copper and Kings Rye just doesn’t do much for me. I only feel a slight impulse to pick this over something like Ezra Brooks rye because it has a bit more depth and richness over a young MGP like that.
SCORE: 84/100 (B)
*Disclosure: This FEW Copper & Kings Rye 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.
