By Genevieve Jacot-Guillarmod
Rating: B-
(Credit: Genevieve Jacot-Guillarmod)
Copper Dog is named for a device that was once used by distillery workers to sneak a sample of whisky from a cask. Typically, a copper dog was made from a narrow copper pipe with a coin welded to one end, and a stopper on the other end. Often, a string was attached to the copper dog so that it could be tied to a belt. Workers would hide the device in their clothing (usually down a trouser leg) as unauthorized sampling of whisky was not allowed.
This whisky was created by Piers Adam, the owner of the historic Craigellachie Hotel located in the heart of the Speyside region, in collaboration with master blender Stuart Morrison. Copper Dog is not only the name of the whisky they created, but also of the cozy pub inside the Craigellachie Hotel.
This whisky has quite an interesting origin story. Shortly after purchasing the hotel in 2014, Adam heard stories about all the distillery workers who would finish up their shifts and head to the pub at the hotel. These workers would pour all the contents of their copper dogs into one big vat at the pub, and share the resulting drink with everyone. Inspired by this story, Adam and Morrison created Copper Dog whisky. It’s a blended malt whisky (sometimes called a vatted malt), made from a blend of (at least) eight different Speyside single malts, and it’s bottled at 40% ABV.
The Scotch
The whisky has a reddish gold, copper-tinged hue. The nose is relatively light, with initial aromas of sticky toffee pudding. Fruity notes follow, with some red apples, papaya and loquats. A hint of honey is present. Vanilla and oak spice appear alongside some green wood notes.
On the palate, vanilla and marzipan come through first. This is followed by dark berries and gentle spice, a distinct dash of cinnamon. Maybe a little mocha. The texture is light and smooth, fading into soft woody notes and a trace of bitter dark chocolate on the finish.
I found that there was a faint menthol note that lingered in the empty glass, eventually overtaken by a caramel aroma
Copper Dog strikes me as a well-rounded and easy-to-enjoy whisky. I particularly appreciated the slightly more unusual fruit notes I detected. Overall, however, it lacks a bit of depth and complexity.
The 40% ABV will likely make Copper Dog accessible to a broad audience, especially those newer to whisky, as lower-strength bottlings are often perceived as gentler and more approachable. For those seeking bolder, more intense flavours, however, this whisky may feel somewhat subdued.
The Price
Copper Dog is widely available at around £35 a bottle.
As a small aside, the Copper Dog brand contributes to various organizations and initiatives that focus on animal welfare, which is quite nice.
