Copper & Kings unveils Tequila barrel-aged apple brandy

Kentucky-based Copper & Kings American Brandy Co. has introduced 3 Marlenas Tequila Barrel Aged Apple Brandy, matured for two years in former Tequila barrels.

New 3 Marlenas Tequila Barrel Aged Apple Brandy has been matured for two years in former Tequila barrels

On the nose it is said to offer light spiciness, crisp apple, whiskey, honey, vanilla and dried fruit, while the palate has notes of roasted apples, honey, and “slight reposado Tequila vegetal notes with a faint agave back-end”.

The finish is “soft and rich” and “completely coats the mouth”.

“This is quite a restless spirit,” said founder Joe Heron. “It has a little “Thelma & Louise” rebelliousness, long-limbed and sexy. Perhaps the ghost of a wild Frida Kahlo. It’s just a cool interpretation, unusual, adventurous and lots of rock and roll in an Arizona desert.

“We left this for two years to really obtain the Tequila nuance from the used barrel, to extract not only flavour, natural colour but also character and personality.”

The label’s fine art design was created by Louisville oil painter Damon Thompson.

“Copper-pot intensity, two years of polishing, really great tonality – but completely unpredictable,” said head distiller Brandon O’Daniel.

“Very layered texturally and flavour-wise. Just an excellent example of the work a barrel does during maturation, and the role a barrel’s provenance plays through its lifetime. Easily one of our cooler and more interesting projects.

“I love the way the apple brandy hangs in there, holding its own as the foundation and essence, but lets the Tequila wrap its arms around it and give it a nice deep, sexy smooch.”

The spirit is non-chill filtered spirit and does not contain any post distillation infusions of apple flavours or essences.

Bottled at 50% abv, only 1000 bottles will be made available from 9 September, carrying an RRP of US$40 per 375mL bottle.