Copper Tongue 16 Year Bourbon

Tasted neat Nose: fruity mixed with oak with faint vanilla and caramel but orange starburst predominates with sawdust/oak behind it. I like the nose. Later I think the orange starburst took on some sherry tones. Interesting. Even later some spice emerged, cinnamon Body: light Palate: oak and stewed fruit, woody caramel. Second sip I thought this is pretty delicate not as bold flavor as the nose would suggest. More tobacco flavor with time which is nice as it blends into a finish which has more smoke and char. Over time I think this is a very sugary dram, which I like. Finish: short to medium with some barrel char which I love. Note: I am cautiously optimistic about this dram. I am curious about the 16 year old dickle as I was surprised by how much I liked the 11 & 13 year old bottled in bond. Admittedly I love sweets so any “flintstones vitamins” flavor would taste good to me. First sip was a “oooo that’s different” in a pleasant way. Overall I really like it. It’s a little off the beaten path for bourbon flavors, reminds me a little of the makers mark 2021 edition with the fruitiness.

This is my first Orphan Barrel product as I have not been willing to drop the money on random single barrels. At a lower entry price I decided to take a chance on this one. Dickel can bring mixed reviews, but I generally like the older bottles so let's give this one a try. Nose is a little oaky and maybe some apple pie. Nothing off putting and actually quite nice so we are off to a decent start. First sip is not quite so nice. This one defintely lingered in the barrel for some time. I am getting some funky burnt caramel on the edges. I almost get a medicinal quality on this pour. There is a nice charred warming burn finish here that gives some redemption to the dram, but it ends far too soon. Overall this is a great looking bottle for the shelf and at this price I would suggest you leave it there and grab something else. I am not going to be lining up for other higher price Orphans anytime soon.

Nose: dense rich caramel and jonagold apple. Does have that light Flinstones vitamins note. Black tea and light tobacco. Vanilla, peach and slight orange zest. Maple and brown sugar. Taste: dense oak explodes into intense caramel and fruit. Finishes with a strong oaky menthol. Lemon and peachy finish with a hint of cantalope. Brown sugar and vanilla show up on the tail of the finish as well with a hint of oaky treacle. Water brings out the sweetness and flintstones gummies while amplifying the fruit notes.

1 oz blind sample. Nose: it’s subtle. Kind of difficult to pull notes from. Smokiness, light oak. Reminds me of the Eric Church JD sample I got a short while ago. Palate: spicy - like cinnamon/all spice. Granny Smith apple. Kind of hard to pull notes from again. Finish: medium in length. Slight spice dances around the cheeks which I enjoy. Bit dry which I find those green apples to be. Finish is probably my favorite part of this one. Proof: on the lower end. ~95 Overall: very good - a cut above.

3rd time trying a bottle open for a week. Nose - fruity and floral. Oranges and cherries with cinnamon and vanilla. Taste - light start with a hefty middle and finish. Very fruity throughout. Orange peel, chocolate and cherries. Ends very fruity. Overall - decent bottle with an excellent looking label. I love the story behind all orphan barrel bottles. This one takes a hit to the wallet at 100 or more retail. Is the bourbon worth it? That’s for you to decide.

Had very high expectations for the price. But if a let down at first. Reminded me of jalapeño/pickle brine on the nose and taste. As the glass sat and I added an ice cube, the complexity of this bourbon really came around. Some wood notes, but more caramel and vanilla came through. Mild sweet aroma and taste. Tannic drying mouthfeel towards the end. Medium finish.