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Coopers’ Craft Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is set to hit shelves of eight select markets in July. This new bourbon celebrates the important role of coopers—the men and women who make and repair barrels—and honors the heritage of crafting barrels. The barrel plays an important role in bourbon production with over fifty percent of the flavor and one hundred percent of the color derived from the barrel aging process.
Coopers’ Craft is a tribute to the Brown-Forman Cooperage which has been making barrels since 1945. With over 70 years of expertise in raising barrels, Brown-Forman is the only major distiller to own a new barrel cooperage and to leverage its knowledge of wood’s impact on bourbon. Presented at 82.2 proof, Coopers’ Craft is matured in barrels that are produced at Brown-Forman Cooperage, using a proprietary beech and birch charcoal-filter finishing process which takes place after the bourbon leaves the barrel and just before bottling. This process allows the natural flavors imparted by the barrel to shine and results in a smooth finish.
“Coopers’ Craft is a special new bourbon that celebrates 70 years and counting of barrel making history,” said Heather Howell, Director of Emerging Brands for Brown-Forman. “This is a bourbon that can only be made by one of the oldest, leading whiskey makers in the world because what matters most, we do ourselves.”
Coopers’ Craft will be available beginning this month in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee at select drinking establishments and liquor stores. Coopers’ Craft has a suggested retail price of $28.99 for a 750ml bottle. It is the first new bourbon brand Brown-Forman has launched in 20 years.
