Independent, family-owned US spirits brand, Cooper Spirits Co have launched the latest in their Lock, Stock & Barrel range, a 20-year-old Rye Whiskey.
Hand-selected by late spirits luminary, and third-generation distiller Robert J. Cooper, the barrels were sourced from Alberta Distillers Ltd. Aged in newly charred – not toasted – American oak barrels, the whiskey is made from a rare mash bill of 100% rye grain in copper pot stills.
Cooper anticipated the boom in rye whiskey by buying barrels of prime Canadian stock and then sitting on the liquid for years before releasing Lock Stock & Barrel, a 13-year-old straight rye whiskey, in 2013. That release was followed by the 16-Year and 18-Year, both of which won double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
“To say that Rob Cooper was a pioneer in the spirits industry is an understatement,” said Chad Solomon, Cooper Spirits’ Director of Trade Advocacy and Innovation.
“Rye was only in the infancy stages of its revival when Rob began purchasing barrels, cultivating an incredible library built for long aging. His foresight has allowed us to continue producing premium spirits like the Lock, Stock & and Barrel line, and I’m proud to continue this legacy with the launch of the 20-Year.”
Lock, Stock & Barrel 20-Year avoids being ‘over charred’ due to the cold climate, 3.5 barrel-char, and lack of toasting, providing a rich and robust, yet balanced, flavor.
The expression features notes of warm spiced date cake, toffee, baking spice, dried apricot, cantaloupe, and peppery rye spice.
For more information, go to lockstockandbarrelspirits.com