In the heart of Seattle's bustling waterfront, where the salt air mixes with the hum of ferries and the distant call of gulls, there's a spot that's been turning heads since 2013. Copperworks Distilling Company isn't just another distillery—it's a place where two old-school brewers took a bold swing at rethinking how spirits get made. Jason Parker and Micah Nutt, guys who've spent over three decades knee-deep in the craft beer world, decided to strip out the hops and distill straight from malted barley that tastes like it came from a top-shelf brew. The result? A lineup of American Single Malt Whiskey, gins, and vodkas that pack a punch of flavor you won't find in your standard bottle shop haul.
But here's where it gets interesting: these guys aren't content with just pouring shots. They've gone and tucked their prized Peatsmith American Single Malt Whiskey right into something you'd least expect—a caramel. Yeah, you read that right. Copperworks just dropped Peatsmith Rosemary Caramels, a limited-run treat cooked up with the folks at Allelon Chocolate, that award-winning chocolatier out of the Pacific Northwest. It's the kind of collaboration that feels like stumbling on a hidden speakeasy menu item: unexpected, but once you try it, you're hooked.
Image credit: Copperworks Distilling Company
Picture this: You pop open a box and pull out one of these handcrafted gems. The caramel melts in your mouth like butter on a warm steak—rich, smooth, and unapologetically indulgent. But it's laced with that Peatsmith whiskey, bringing a subtle smoke from the peat that dances on your tongue without overpowering the sweetness. Then there's the chocolate shell, crisp and snappy, locking it all in like a well-aged barrel. And just when you think it's all decadence, a pinch of flaked sea salt hits, grounding everything with a briny kick. Oh, and the rosemary? It's fresh, earthy, almost like a whisper from a backyard herb garden, slicing through the heaviness to leave you with a clean, lingering finish that makes you reach for another.
"We've always believed whiskey belongs at the table, and sometimes, that means in dessert form," said Copperworks President and Co-Founder Jason Parker. "Teaming up with Allelon allowed us to showcase the Peatsmith in a new way. We think this is the most craveable caramel in the Pacific Northwest!"
Parker's not exaggerating. These aren't your corner-store chews; they're built for savoring, maybe after a solid ribeye or alongside a pour of the very whiskey that inspired them. For guys who appreciate a good cigar or a fireside chat, this is the dessert that bridges the gap between dinner and that nightcap you look forward to all week. It's sophisticated without trying too hard, the kind of thing that sparks a story over a round of drinks.
To get your hands on a box—four pieces for $16, while they last—you've got options. Snap one up online through the Copperworks site, or swing by one of their tasting rooms. The flagship's right on Alaskan Way in downtown Seattle, at 1250 Alaskan Way, zip 98101, smack in the middle of that tourist sweet spot where you can watch the world go by. Or head up to the Kenmore spot at 7324 NE 175th St, 98028, for a quieter vibe away from the crowds. Either way, it's worth the trip, especially if you're already plotting a distillery crawl.
Dig a little deeper into Copperworks, and you see why this caramel collab fits like a glove. Parker and Nutt didn't stumble into distilling; they engineered it. Back in 2013, they opened shop in Seattle's high-traffic waterfront district, turning a gritty industrial space into a craft haven with a tasting room and gift shop that draws locals and out-of-towners alike. Their whole deal revolves around small-batch runs—nothing mass-produced, nothing watered down. Everything starts with malted barley, sourced and handled like it's destined for the best pint you ever had, minus the bitterness of hops.
The stills? Custom jobs, hammered out in Scotland just for Copperworks. Traditional copper pots, each one tuned to the spirit at hand—whiskey gets its own, gin another, vodka its dedicated setup. It's that attention to detail that elevates their American Single Malt Whiskey from good to game-changing. Peatsmith, in particular, nods to those smoky Scotch influences but with an American twist, peat-smoked right here in the PNW. No wonder it's blowing up in a category that's exploding nationwide and even overseas.
Awards pile up like empty glasses at a reunion. In 2018, the American Distilling Institute crowned them Distillery of the Year—a big deal in a field crowded with upstarts. Their whiskey and gin have racked up Double-Gold medals, pulling scores of 94 to 96 points in some of the toughest judging panels out there. And just this year, in the 2023 Best in the PNW contest from The Seattle Times, folks voted them the top distillery. It's not hype; it's proof that when you distill like a brewer, you get spirits that stand tall.
What keeps guys coming back, though, isn't just the bottles. Copperworks turns visits into experiences. Drop in for a tasting flight, where you can sip through their core lineup—the Peatsmith alongside their flagship single malt, maybe a gin that cuts clean through a tonic. Tours walk you through the process, from barley to barrel, with Parker or Nutt often on hand to share war stories from their brewing days. And if you're feeling hands-on, sign up for the single-malt whiskey blending workshop. It's like playing mad scientist with oak chips and peat notes, crafting your own batch to take home. Perfect for a solo afternoon or dragging a buddy along for some low-key bonding.
Beyond the walls, Copperworks spirits are everywhere you look in Washington State. Stocked on shelves at your local liquor store, poured neat at neighborhood bars, or mixed into cocktails at spots that know their way around a shaker. Want to track down where to grab a bottle? Hit up their bar and restaurant finder at copperworksdistilling.com/bar-and-restaurants. It's a goldmine for planning that next outing—maybe pair a Copperworks Old Fashioned with these new caramels for the full effect.
At its core, Copperworks is about that unpretentious pursuit of flavor, the kind that reminds you why you got into chasing good drinks in the first place. In a world of flashy trends, they stick to copper stills, barley, and bold ideas—like infusing whiskey into caramel with a rosemary twist. It's a nod to tradition, sure, but with enough edge to keep things fresh. Whether you're nursing a dram by the fireplace or sharing a box of these Peatsmith Rosemary Caramels around the table after a long day, it's a reminder that the best things in life pair sweet with smoke, simple with satisfying.
For more on what Copperworks is pouring next, head to copperworksdistilling.com. Who knows—maybe the next collab will have you rethinking your dessert drawer entirely.
