Cinnamon

Copper Fox Wasmund’s Single Malt

Copper Fox Wasmund’s Single Malt

Virginia has a long tradition of whiskey, with companies like A. Smith Bowman among others. As with many other states, it is currently enjoying a craft whiskey boom, with younger distilleries like Reservoir popping up. Copper Fox, though being a little on the older site of the current boom (founded 2005), is doing something slightly different: an American Single Malt, made in the Scottish style using apple and other fruit woods as a source of the smoke. No surprise given founder Rick Wasmund interned at the fabled Bowmore Distillery. 

Lagavulin 11 Year Offerman Edition

Lagavulin 11 Year Offerman Edition

Lagavulin is well established in the scotch world and thus to some may have little need in the way of advertising. But it so happened during the early 2010s that popular American ensemble comedy Parks and Recreation contained a character who held an abiding love for the distillery. Ron Swanson, played by Nick Offerman, references and consumes the drink throughout the show and at one point in later seasons visits and invests in the distillery. Nick Offerman does in fact hold Lagavulin dear and so the two went into partnership together and released the first Offerman Edition in 2019. The first edition was a straight 11 year scotch and the second edition in 2021 was finished in Guinness casks. This third Offerman Edition uses American red wine and European oak casks for the entire maturation that have been shaved down and heavily re-charred.

Liberty Pole Spiced Whiskey

Liberty Pole Spiced Whiskey

The Liberty Pole Spiced Whiskey is an annual release, usually in October. It is based on a rye that’s at least 3 years old and matured in a 53-gallon oak barrel. To this is added allspice, orange peel, brown sugar and cinnamon. The genesis of this mixture came about at a holiday party where the Old Fashioneds had a homemade allspice dram added, which the distillers attempt to recreate here. Thanks mom! Historically, Pennsylvania distillers during the Whiskey Rebellion also added spices to their whiskies during the holidays.