Copper Fox Original Rye Whiskey

Nose - smoked herbal notes, anise, clove, apple, dill, caramel, dry vanilla, mint, white pepper, black cherry, orange, mild to moderate ethanol burn. Taste - bitter herbal notes, dill, rubber, anise, clove, black pepper, salted caramel, sour apple, spearmint, ginger, moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium short with spearmint, anise, and bitter herbal flavors. Wow this is a weird rye. I’ve never tried anything like it. The nose is vegetal, herbal, and smoky. It’s akin to burning a pile of fresh cooking herbs. It’s rather dry and astringent, but some fruit can be found, somewhat along the lines of apple and black cherry with a touch of orange. The palate is equally jarring. Did they age this in a first-fill pickle barrel? Dill abounds. It’s also minty, salty, and maybe even rubbery or fishy. Who knows. I’m well into uncharted flavor territory. This is a difficult one to rate. There is a lot of complexity here, which adds to the intrigue. Though in the end, it’s a bit thin, bright, bitter, sour, and off in some unpleasant ways. Nonetheless, it’s really cool being able to try such a unique whiskey. Many thanks to @ContemplativeFox for providing the sample!

Smoke bomb up front and center. I want a DNA test to prove this is a Rye Whiskey made in Virginia and not a scotch from Islay. The smoke coming from an applewood and cherrywood fire process is original. It’s an oaky smoke with vanilla, chestnuts, paprika and spice on the nose. The oak is also up front on the taste. This is certainly a young whiskey. More dry than sweet. Hints of vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg on the palate but a strong oak aftertaste. Very smooth, silky and well balanced for its 45% ABV tag. This is a really unique whiskey. I hope they have good stacks of this aging in a barn somewhere. This whiskey would be spectacular with a few more years under its belt.

Copper Fox prides itself on the use of apple chips in their distillery. And that's exactly what you get with this unique rye - a mouthful of sweet apples. There is plenty of vanilla in the invitation and deep smoke that stays with the finish. I was initially not a fan, but I have to admit that it has grown on me some. Mostly because it is so unique. Try it as an old-fashioned. I respect Copper Fox going off the beaten path, but there is still work to be done here.

Polished brass is the color in this rye whiskey , and thin watery legs dribble down the glass. To me, the nose comes off young, with a curious funk. There are specific notes of sour fruit, moss, wet leaves, dry corn, sweet incense smoke, and wood cleaner. The palate is overall sour with a thin mouthfeel with notes of burnt caramel, granola cereal, Froot Loops dust, and oaky tannins. The thin finish is of medium length. Cheers!

NOSE ----------- -candied cherries. My MIL made these red chocolate cherries at Christmas. Smells just like that. TASTE ----------- -good mouthfeel, very smooth. -the notes are very different from the nose. -here's a new one...angel food cake NOTES ----------- -this is a fun rye. I expected cherry throughout, but the different tasting notes were cool. I dig it. Wouldn't mind drinking this again.

I was really suprised by this. Great flavors over all with quite a bit if fruit. Apple I think stands out. I'm still learning the differences. The one quirk is that the smokey taste seems a bit off. Like a pork butt done in a crock pot with liquid smoke, it's still good but just not the same as if it was done in a smoker. Just my two cents.