Ok, I expect a full review from our Southern gentlemen this summer...

Brown-Forman, the parent company behind famed brands including Jack Daniel's, Woodford Reserve and Early Times, is bringing out its first new bourbon in 20 years with the release of Coopers’ Craft. Set to be available in select markets this summer, it celebrates the company’s 70-plus years of barrel-making and wood expertise at its historic cooperage in Louisville, KY.

In addition to being matured in barrels raised by master coopers at the Brown-Forman Cooperage, the 82.2 proof spirit is made using a special beech and birch charcoal filter finishing process aimed at creating a smooth and flavorful bourbon.

Hitting shelves this summer, Coopers’ Craft will be initially available in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee at a suggested price of $28.99 for a 750ml bottle.

How many years will this be aged? Or in other words, how many years ago did they plan this bourbon?

At that price I'm not sure I should be expecting too much, but the proof is in the taste.

Unfortunately, I don't know. There was no mention of it in the press release article...

Huh?

Beech and birch charcoal filter finishing process???

Isn't that sort of what Jack Daniels does over in Tennessee?

I guess there are arguments both for and against Jack Daniel's being legally classified as bourbon (whether or not the Lincoln County Process/charcoal filtering constitutes an additive or flavoring), but given that the resulting product tastes nothing at all like any bourbon, bad or good, I've ever tried, I'm not sure why Brown-Forman would want to replicate in KY what they already do in TN.


Those two questions could have entirely different answers. It's possible that B-F has millions of gallons of juice sitting around in a rickhouse or warehouse somewhere in KY, TN or elsewhere that can be diverted to use in this brand.

Witness Diageo's Orphan Barrels. It's not like those barrels were really lost and only recently rediscovered like some buried pirate treasure. That's all marketing hype. The booze had been distilled and sitting around long before Diageo figured out how to hype and sell it.

I'm game. I'll keep my eyes open. I'm not a JD fan so I may be disappointed.

At that price point, it's not likely to be any older than 10 years. With the charcoal filtering, will it make any difference if it's only been aged 3?

I'd like to hear a Jack Daniels drinker's opinion before I give it a try. If I don't run into one who's tried it, I can always buy a bottle and hand it down to my SIL if it isn't any better than I expect.

I'm a big JD fan so this seems right up my alley - unfortunately looks like they've decided that they are going to distribute it to everywhere in the South except North Carolina (and Virginia) so might not see it here for a while.

More is now known about this bourbon...

Brown-Forman master distiller Chris Morris, whose production team spent more than a decade creating Coopers' Craft, said "the time for a new style of bourbon has arrived."

Louisville-based Brown-Forman's flagship brand is Jack Daniel's and its lineup includes Woodford Reserve and Old Forester bourbons.

Coopers' Craft whiskey will age four to six years before bottling, the company said.

It's bottled at 82.2 proof, lower than Woodford Reserve and Old Forester, making it a prime "entry-level whiskey" for people unfamiliar with bourbon, according to Doug Petry, co-owner and beverage director at RYE, a Louisville restaurant.

Per the report:

Brown-Forman spokeswoman Andrea Duvall said that Coopers' Craft is made in Louisville, from a slightly different mashbill than Old Forester. Coopers' Craft has slightly more corn and slightly less rye than Old Forester, giving it a less spicy flavor profile.

Coopers' Craft also uses a special beech and birch charcoal filter finishing process. After the bourbon has aged four to six years, it is filtered through charcoal made from beech and birch wood, giving it extra smoothness and oakiness, she said.

Coopers' Craft is the first new bourbon added to Brown-Forman permanent lineup in 20 years.

For the complete story, check out Kentucky.com.

Doesn't JD run through maple charcoal before barrelling? That DQ's them as bourbon. I am not exactly excited to hear they're filtering after the barrel, either, with this one; why remove flavor?

I agree, but some people become lawyers in an attempt to justify their opinion that JD is a bourbon. I've given up trying to correct them.

For those of us in VA, the ABC now has a lottery process for various low-supply products. That's the good news. The bad news is that they're using said lottery for things I used to find (as recently as last year!) regularly on ABC shelves, including stuff distilled in VA (like the Bowman limited releases), Stagg Jr., Orphan Barrel, etc.

I've yet to win the chance to buy a bottle in any VA ABC lottery, either. The ones that start tomorrow are for a Bowman's wheated bourbon ($70) and Whistle Pig 15 ($199 :eek:).

My goodness, Barterhouse and Forged Oak as lottery products? When they're (1) not really super-premium products and (2) readily available in other states? Mitcher's 10-year as a lottery product? Stagg Jr. as a lottery?!

Something tells me this is VA ABC's way of being even more crooked than they were before.

That does sound pretty crooked. Don't Virginians know you can jump in a car, train or plane and buy all these items off the shelf of a grocery store in other states? Or even in D.C.?

Had Templeton Rye at the JFK AC a couple days ago.

Absolutely horrid - way too sweet and fake tasting. The only saving grace was that it was free via an AA drink chit.

Templeton lost all my respect with their marketing spin (pre-Prohibition and a favorite of Al Capone, ha) when it's actually just a blend of MGP spirits.

Not that all ryes made with MGP makes bad stuff. Some ryes made with their spirits are quite good, like High West, but the hypocrisy of some of these marketing departments is a bit much to swallow.

That said, I still think the best value among ryes is Rittenhouse. Maybe a little hot for sipping but a splash of water tempers it a bit.

Yeah agreed - I just never got around to trying it so figured it was a good chance. Needless to say it will be my last - it's okay though I've got a nice GlenDronach 21 Parliament to sip on here in Scotland tonight so that'll make up for it :D

Agreed on the Rittenhouse - the stock comes and goes from the NC ABC stores so last time it was in I stocked up and have about 2.25 bottles left. It's my go to for Rye sipping and Rye drinks (adds a nice bit of heat to the cocktail).

Sometimes I don't know how east coast whiskey drinkers get by in states with ABC boards. Out here I've never had trouble finding Rittenhouse, Old Overholt, Michters or most of the more common ryes. The big stores in Denver/Boulder tend to have tons of that stuff in stock.

And of course in Colorado we have Stranahans. :p

Also, a Rittenhouse Manhattan made with Carpano Antica and a rinse of Gran Torres orange liqueur is a magical thing. :)

I don't have an ABC board (New York) but I still purchase 90% of my bottles online from out of state. Even with shipping (but no tax) it's like getting 3 bottles for the price of 2.

We are able to get almost anything here in FL. I was given a bottle of Stranahan's for father's day. I have not tried it yet, with all the open bottles around the house.

Nice sounds great... I'm a big fan of Sazerac rye, Carpoano antica and luxardo cherries but I'll have to grab some Gran Torres and try....

FDW

I'm a fan of 12 Bottle Bar's recipe. 2 oz Rittenhouse, 1 oz Carpano Antica, dash of Angostura and a dash of orange bitters. Rinse the glass with Gran Torres and garnish with a twist of orange.

Definitely sounds interesting ^

I shop around a lot and buy when I'm in MD, but I need to find a good DC source that isn't $$$ (as several of the bigger liquor shops are).

That time of year - Pappy and Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Of course no chance of seeing either through the ABC channels here in North Carolina and doubt I have a prayer of getting one in the "lottery" (I'm sure it's not rigged :D).

The good news is that Rittenhouse has been fairly present here in Durham over the past few months at a reasonable ~$25 so I've been able to stock up on a few bottles. Still need to follow txflyer77's advice upthread and make a Rittenhouse Manhattan.

I did get High West Rendezvous Rye a few weeks ago. Bit of a high price point here in NC (~$78) and not a big fan on the first try - honestly like the Rittenhouse better. Hoping it will grow on me the second try

I found a bunch of Elijah Craig barrel proof last week in NC. Fantastic stuff.

I have $100 burning a hole in my pocket and 2 bourbon fans visiting in 2 weeks. Any recommendations? I've drunk about everything in the under $60 price range. Okay, nothing under $20. Too scared.

Can I be one of the fans? :)

I think you know Angel's Envy, right? It's good stuff and comes in a pretty bottle.

With $100 burning a hold in BamaVol's pocket, they could get two bottles of AE. Go find your self some Colonel E.H. Taylor single barrel and you'll have a few bucks left. Or maybe some Jefferson's Ocean Aged, always a good $75+/- bottle.

I've had the first two and there's nothing wrong with them. Quite the opposite. In fact, one of the fans (BamaVol Jr #1) gave me the Colonel Taylor.

Jefferson's Ocean Aged sounds intriguing. I will go bourbon hunting across the bridge tonight.

Nothing wrong with them at all but if you are trying to spend $100 or so on a bottle you can aim higher than AE (which I love).

The problem is that there really aren't any bourbons worth spending $80-100 that one can find. The bourbons in that range are impossible to find. Four roses small batch limited edition, buffalo trace antique collection, michters 10, old forester birthday bourbon, and of course the van winkles are all in that range yet sadly not available. The stuff that's actually on the shelf in that dollar range isn't terribly great.

There's a new release of high wests mid winters night dram that might be tasty. Their Bourye is also not bad. Heaven Hills 7 yo Pikesville Rye is a solid $45 bottle. If you can find anyone that's doing a barrel proof four roses pick those are strong options and typically about $70. Also Old scout store picks from Smooth Ambler are good bet as well.

Fdw

I just saw that for the first time this evening - is it worth the spend? What's it like? Have you had the yippee ki-yay? That is great.

I've had some of the previous years releases.. I'll be honest it's not for me.. I just don't like my whiskey's finished though.. I feel that by barrel finishing a whiskey it imparts a sweetness that I just don't care for (though maybe that's because I like peppery notes)... But, I really respect the guys at High West... they do a great job blending and I love how much rye they use... it's definitely worth picking up a bottle... they do a much better job than the Angel's Envy guys...

So I'm a neat kind of guy and new oak kind of guy...

FDW

There wasn't anything right around $100. I considered the IW Harper 15 year but rejected it since I know nothing about it. Finally settled on the High West Bourye. Paid $79.99. Won't be opened for another 3 weeks but I'm looking forward to it.

We opened the Bourye last night for a taste. Very complex. There's the sweetness of a bourbon and the spiciness of a rye. A lot going on in this drink and I'll be having more than one the next time I sit down with the bottle.

I picked up the yippe, but haven't tried it yet. Store range out of midwinter just before I got there. Recent buys of Rowan's Creek (decent), Noah's Mill, baby Saz (can't go wrong), ogd 114 (fantastic for an old fashioned), whistle pig store pick (meh), old scout 11yr SB BP (not very good), Weller SR, Weller 12 (amazing at msrp when you can find it).

Found a stash of EH Taylor BP and think I need to grab some, really liked last year's release and still have a sealed bottle. Anyone try this year's? Sipping some Willett 8 rye now and it's excellent.

BamaVol Jr #1 gave me a bottle of the single barrel as a gift last year. I enjoyed it but had not heard that it has since become difficult to find. We looked in both high-end local liquor stores Saturday to no avail. They did have a couple bottles of the EH Taylor Rye but it wasn't what we were looking for.

super proud to announce that I scored a bottle of Pappy 23, and not at some hugely marked up price!

Before I drink it, I'd like to learn a little bit about bourbon and do a lot of sampling. Any recommendations that'll take me through a range of tastes? Small bottles are a plus since I can move quicker.

Lovely.. I think it opens up a lot too

I'm not a huge fan of barrel finished whisky but High West puts out some good stuff... that's a shame the Old Scount wasn't good.. I've always had good experiences with them... I haven't ever seen Weller 12 on the shelf in our parts...

I'm not a huge EH Taylor fan but their Barrel proof offering is nice... always worth picking up if you find it IMO..



Congrats! but I think I already told you that!

I'ld try a wheated bourbon similar to Pappy- Old Weller Antique. Same mash bill, just aged only 7ish years... should be about $25-30 a bottle..

I'ld then try a high rye bourbon- Four Roses Single Barrel comes to mind. about $40 a bottle

those should give yo a nice contrast in bourbons..

FDW

Perfect! I'll get 'em. Thank you

Just hit the jackpot. Had to be in Raleigh today and stopped at a Raleigh ABC store on the way back to Durham.

They had Weller 107 at a very reasonable price point ($28). I've never seen it at any NC ABC store - she said they'd just gotten it earlier in the week. Naturally I bought the 3 that were left