Brown-Forman Expands Coopers’ Craft with New Barrel Reserve Expression
The bourbon that honors barrel-making heritage kicks-off 2019 with launch of robust new bourbon and expands into new markets
Louisville, KY, January 14, 2019 – Brown-Forman is pleased to announce the expansion of Coopers’ Craft Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey with the launch of a new expression, Coopers’ Craft Barrel Reserve. Introduced in 2016 as Brown-Forman’s newest bourbon brand in 20 years, Coopers’ Craft bourbon will expand in 2019 with the introduction of the 100-proof Barrel Reserve, launch into four new states, and an updated package design for the original Coopers’ Craft bourbon.
Honoring the men and women who raise the barrels, Coopers’ Craft celebrates the company’s more than 70 years of barrel-making and wood expertise as the only major distiller that owns its own new barrel cooperage. Both bourbons begin with the same spirit but are aged using different wood techniques from the barrel resulting in final products with distinctively different flavor profiles – ranging from light and gentle to bold and robust.
The original Coopers’ Craft bourbon is aged in a traditional American White Oak barrel. After it is aged, the bourbon runs through a special beech and birch charcoal filter finishing process, creating a smooth and gentle bourbon that is bottled at 82.2-proof. In contrast, Coopers’ Craft Barrel Reserve is aged in a unique chiseled and charred American White Oak barrel that allows the whiskey to interact more deeply with the wood, creating a robust and more complex flavor profile.
“Kentucky bourbon is famous around the world for its maturation in new, charred oak barrels,” said Brown-Forman Master Distiller Chris Morris. “Consumers will be able to experience the distinctive taste that this tradition delivers in the only bourbon that celebrates the barrel crafting art.”
The roll out begins in January (varying by market) with the expansion of the Coopers’ Craft bourbon from the original eight markets (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee) to new markets that include Ohio, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Coopers’ Craft Barrel Reserve will launch in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Simultaneously, existing fans of the original Coopers’ Craft bourbon will notice the same light amber liquid dressed in a new label and navy Coopers’ Craft logo demonstrating the brand’s commitment to innovation. Its current bottle with rounded edges as well as what’s inside will remain the same, while the Coopers’ Craft Barrel Reserve package will boast a more premium look with square shoulders, light color label, cork closure, and strip seal showcasing an image of the Brown-Forman Cooperage with copper detailing. Both bottles will have a back label inviting consumers to tour the historic Cooperage and meet the barrel makers. Coopers’ Craft bourbon will be available in markets for a suggested retail price ranging from $21.99 to $24.99 for a 750ml bottle, and Coopers’ Craft Barrel Reserve will be available at a suggested retail price ranging from $29.99 to $32.99 for a 750ml bottle.
“Coopers’ Craft is a celebration of barrel-making and recognition of the importance of wood when it comes to crafting bourbon,” says Heather Howell, director of Coopers’ Craft bourbon for Brown-Forman. “We’re incredibly excited to present our new Coopers’ Craft Barrel Reserve expression, along with our original Coopers’ Craft bourbon, to a wider audience with a completely fresh look but the same delicious liquid.”
Coopers’ Craft Original 82. 2 Proof Tasting Notes
Nose: Light toasted and fresh oak character mingle with baked apple sweetness and a citrus custard.
Taste: A true sipping bourbon with soft lemon custard and baked apple notes layered over a bed of toasted and fresh oak character seasoned with a light dusting of spice.
Finish: Rich and smooth with lingering hints of fruit.
Coopers’ Craft Barrel Reserve 100 Proof Tasting Notes
Nose: Fresh hewn oak with hints of smoke and char are spiced with hints of cinnamon and leather atop a layer of orchard and citrus fruit. Sweetened with a sprinkling of vanilla wafer crumbs.
Taste: Caramel and cotton candy coat fresh apple, pear and citrus fruit atop vanilla wafers dusted with sharp cinnamon.
Finish: Assertive cinnamon spice softens to a lingering apple and clean oak note.
About Coopers’ Craft Bourbon
Coopers’ Craft is a celebration of Brown-Forman’s more than 70 years of expertise raising its own barrels at Brown-Forman Cooperage. Drawing inspiration from the craft of raising barrels Coopers’ Craft offers a range of expressions leveraging our barrel making expertise. Coopers’ Craft is a product of Brown-Forman Corporation, a premier producer and marketer of fine quality beverage alcohol brands including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Finlandia, Korbel, el Jimador, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Canadian Mist, Herradura, New Mix, Sonoma-Cutrer, Early Times, Chambord, BenRiach, GlenDronach and Slane. Twitter @coopers_craft • Instagram @cooperscraft • Facebook /CoopersCraftBourbon
Coopers’ Craft Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 41.1% Alc. by Vol., Produced and Bottled by Brown-Forman Beverages, Louisville, Kentucky ©2019.
Please drink responsibly.
