The Coopers’ Craft Original Bourbon is a new bourbon put out by Brown-Forman (Old Forester) which carries the tagline “beeched and birched”. Why you ask? Because after aging they dump the whiskey and filter it through charcoal made from Beech and Birchwood. An interesting way to lend new flavors to the whiskey that immediately brings to mind the Jim Beam Green Label and George Dickel Rye.
Far from a new and innovative approach, post-aging charcoal filtering is also far from the norm. I’m not shitting on it by any means, just to be clear, I’m just stating the somewhat obvious: this is Old Forester with an extra charcoal filtering process. The question is, has it made a difference? We’ll find out in the bourbon review below.
Coopers’ Craft Original Bourbon Review: Details and Tasting Notes
Coopers’ Craft Original is bottled at 82.2 proof for a gentle flavor profile that is well-balanced through the finish. Bourbon aficionados and newcomers alike will appreciate this remarkably smooth and inviting bourbon.
Coopers’ Craft Original Bourbon: Details (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Brown-Forman (Old Forester)
Mash Bill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: NAS (4+ years)
ABV: 41.1%
Price: $30*
Coopers’ Craft Original Bourbon: Tasting Notes
EYE
Caramel
NOSE
Caramel, toasted marshmallows, oak, dried dark fruit, sandalwood and a touch of clove and allspice.
PALATE
Baking spice, toffee, oak, vanilla, dried fruit and some herbal notes.
FINISH
Medium -> Spice, oak, raw grain, vanilla and citrus.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Not fully balanced, light body and a thin watery feel.
Coopers’ Craft Original Bourbon Review: Overall and Score
Spice rules this whiskey: Aroma is spice heavy with some nice sweet notes trying to balance it out and the oak trying to hold it all together. Palate is spice heavy with the sweets and the oak struggling to hold on. The finish finally finds balance as it fades out from spice to citrus and sweetness.
I’d love to get more nuances and complexity out of the Cooper’s Craft Original Bourbon, but the spice holds such a heavy presence it’s hard for anything else to shine through. On the whole it’s not overly exciting as it tips towards being one-noted. Though I’m sure it would do well in cocktails with that dense spice it carries.
now know what Beech and Birch charcoal filtering does to Old Forester.
SCORE: 83/100 (B)
*Disclosure: This Cooper’s Craft Original 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.
Coopers' Craft Original Bourbon Review 30
- Nose - 84
- Palate - 83
- Finish - 83
- Balance, Body & Feel - 83
Coopers' Craft Original Bourbon Review Summary
Cooper’s Craft Original Bourbon is a spice-bomb of whiskey that’s heading towards being one-noted, but manages to pull back just enough with notes of oak and sweets to give it a bit of dimension.
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