Louisville-based Copper & Kings American Brandy Co. is launching its first aged apple brandy expression this fall. A blend of superior, exclusively copper pot-distilled apple brandies were aged in bourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry butts and sherry casks. The blend has a minimum age of 4-year-old brandy, and is a full-bodied, 100-proof alcohol strength.
The craft apple brandy is non-chill filtered with no post-distillation addition of apple flavor or essences, no boisé (oak flavor or infusion), sugar or caramel color for an authentic, uncorrupted natural flavor and natural color.
“It’s aromatic and complex with lovely balance and depth. It’s a unique New World style American apple brandy,” says founder Joe Heron. “It’s spirited, it has personality, and it’s not derivative—I love the confidence. And no cheats—no added apple flavor, no added boisé with full integrity intact.”
“It’s a very American interpretation of apple brandy. It’s a surround sound of aroma and flavor. You could describe it as bluesy and supple with rock ‘n roll oomph for backbone. At 100-proof, it has lovely structure, great mouth-feel, works great on the rocks, and it’s just delicious in a Jack Rose for sure,” adds head distiller Brandon O’Daniel.
Copper & Kings Craft Distilled American Apple Brandy (100 proof/50% ABV)
$40 per 750mL bottle
Appearance: Honey golden.
Aroma: Subtle honeyed apple bouquet and unusual complexity with apple, toffee and butterscotch mingling with hints of American whiskey, oak and vanilla.
Taste: Crisp, lively and slightly dry to start with hints of Kentucky bourbon with sherry butterscotch and a little baked pastry and a rounded mid-palate with enough character and spicy feistiness not to be dull.
Finish: Silky and sleek with a slight dryness on the palate and a spicy butterscotch close and lingering finish.
