Over the years, Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Co. has taken pride in finding forgotten barrels of rare and delicious whiskey, giving them a home as part of the brand’s portfolio. This morning, they are announcing their latest release – Orphan Barrel Copper Tongue – which hails from the historic Cascade Hollow Distillery in Tullahoma, Tennessee and is a cask strength 16-year-old straight bourbon whiskey.
Nestled in a valley with a spring-fed creek in an area known for its population of copperhead snakes, the stocks for Orphan Barrel Copper Tongue were discovered by Nicole Austin in Cascade Hollow Distilling Co.’s single story rickhouses. These rickhouses draw inspiration from traditional Scottish barrel storage and are a rather unique feature in the U.S. that helped impart a special character onto the liquid. On the other hand, Tullahoma is a part of each whisky produced at Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. From using the Cascade Spring water that runs through ancient limestone to the distillery working with local farmers, Copper Tongue is also distinctly inspired by American traditions.
While this is the second Orphan Barrel release from Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. (following the 2016 release of Orphan Barrel Whoop & Holler 28-Year-Old), Orphan Barrel Copper Tongue marks the first from the Cascade Hollow Distilling Co., General Manager and Distiller, Nicole Austin. Over the years, the team at Cascade Hollow has released a number of award-winning whiskies under Nicole’s leadership.
“Since joining the team at Cascade Hollow Distilling Co., I’ve loved getting to explore all the incredible whiskies produced at the distillery. In that process, I’ve been excited to have found such an amazing whiskey to give a home to,” said Austin. “Orphan Barrel Copper Tongue brings together traditions from both American and Scotch whiskeys, and the result is a sophisticated straight bourbon that’s surprisingly delicate. With this release, I can’t wait to share this rare whiskey with the world and showcase a bit of the magic that can comes from Cascade Hollow.”
This 16-year-old bourbon boasts an approachable and mellow profile balanced by juicy bursts of candied orange and hints of cedar. At 89.8 proof (44.9%), bourbon fans can best enjoy Orphan Barrel Copper Tongue neat or thoughtfully garnished with a slice of pear.
Orphan Barrel Copper Tongue is a highly limited release, and as past variants have been highly sought after, whiskey aficionados and collectors will want to get a hold of it when they see it. Beginning this June, the new variant will begin rolling out in select markets across the nation for consumers to purchase for a suggested retail price of $100.