WASMOND'S New Made RYE Spirit by Copper Fox Distillery

Description

Copper Fox Wasmund's New Made Rye: Exploring the Origins of American Rye Whiskey

Wasmund's New Made Rye Spirit is produced by Copper Fox Distillery, an American craft distillery established by Rick Wasmund in Sperryville, Virginia.

The distillery is known for its distinctive approach to grain preparation, distillation and whiskey maturation. Its range includes single malt and rye whiskeys, as well as unaged spirits designed to reveal the flavours of the underlying distillates.

The New Made Rye Spirit is part of the Distiller's Art Series. It represents the clear, unaged spirit that forms the basis of Copper Fox Rye Whiskey before the influence of barrel maturation.

The recipe combines two-thirds Virginia-grown rye with one-third locally grown Thoroughbred barley. This barley variety is associated with the distillery's grain programme and contributes to the character of its spirits.

Rye provides the spicy foundation, while malted barley introduces additional cereal aromas and a softer texture.

Copper Fox follows a distillation philosophy that differs from the production of neutral spirits. Rather than distilling to 190 proof or above, the distillery carefully produces its grain spirits at less than 160 proof.

This lower distillation strength allows more of the compounds developed during fermentation to remain in the finished spirit. The objective is to preserve the flavour of the original grains rather than create a completely neutral alcohol.

Because Wasmund's New Made Rye Spirit is bottled before barrel maturation, it does not display the amber colour or the oak-derived vanilla and caramel notes commonly associated with aged rye whiskey.

Instead, its flavour profile is driven by the cereals and the distillation process.

The distillery describes aromas of toasted almond and ripe apple, followed by floral characteristics reminiscent of gin. A subtle saline sensation appears on the palate, while the finish develops peppery spice and a surprising sweetness.

These characteristics make the spirit particularly interesting for comparing unaged distillate with mature rye whiskey.

During barrel ageing, a whiskey develops additional flavours through interaction with wood. Tannins, oak aromas, colour and other maturation characteristics gradually become part of the finished product.

Wasmund's New Made Rye Spirit allows the drinker to examine the flavour profile before these changes take place.

The spirit can be sampled neat in small quantities or used in cocktails where the grain character is intended to remain prominent.

Copper Fox also suggests using its new make spirits for home maturation experiments in small, lightly charred American white oak barrels, subject to appropriate handling and local regulations.

This release highlights the relationship between Virginia rye, malted barley and Copper Fox's distinctive distillation methods.