In the heart of Seattle's bustling waterfront, where the salty Pacific air mingles with the hum of tourists and ferries, there's a distillery that's been quietly rewriting the rules of American whiskey. Copperworks Distilling Company, a name that's earned its stripes among serious spirits fans, just dropped a limited-edition gem that's got folks talking: the Copperworks Arette Tequila Cask American Single Malt Whiskey. It's not your everyday pour— this one's a collaboration born from bold experimentation, exclusive access, and a whole lot of patience. If you've ever wondered how a splash of Mexican sunshine could transform a rugged American malt, this release is your answer. And at just 322 bottles strong, it's the kind of find that makes you feel like you stumbled onto buried treasure.
Picture this: two worlds colliding in a wooden cask. On one side, the earthy punch of American single malt, crafted from malted barley with the precision of old-world brewers. On the other, the vibrant agave spirit from Tequila Arette de Jalisco, a brand that's been perfecting its craft in the highlands of Mexico for generations. Copperworks isn't new to this dance—they teamed up with Arette a few years back for Special Release No. 037, a tequila cask-finished whiskey that flew off the shelves faster than you can say "neat." That success lit a fire under the team, leading them to hunt down more of those precious Arette casks. The result? This new expression, aged longer and deeper, exclusively for the Copperworks Whiskey Club members who know a good thing when they taste it.
Image credit: Copperworks Distilling Company
Jason Parker, the president and co-founder of Copperworks, doesn't mince words about why this matters. "This collaboration with Arette represents a partnership we're thrilled to continue," he said. "After the success of Special Release No. 037, we knew our Whiskey Club members would appreciate this exclusive, extended-aged expression." Parker's got the background to back it up—decades in craft brewing, turning grains into liquid gold without the fuss of hops. He and his partner, Micah Nutt, started Copperworks back in 2013 with a simple question: What if spirits were born from the same superior craft beer methods, minus the bitterness? They built the place from the ground up in downtown Seattle, right on Alaskan Way, turning it into a tasting room, gift shop, and production hub that's as much a destination as it is a distillery.
But let's back up a bit. Copperworks isn't just another spot slinging booze in a city full of them. They opened their doors with a mission to pioneer American single malt whiskey—a category that's exploding across the U.S. and beyond, finally giving bourbon and Scotch some real competition on home soil. Everything here starts with malted barley, distilled in custom copper stills forged in Scotland just for their setup. Those stills aren't off-the-shelf; they're tailored for each spirit, from their lineup of gins and vodkas to the whiskeys that keep collectors coming back. It's that attention to detail that's snagged them awards left and right, including Distillery of the Year from the American Distilling Institute in 2018. Their pours have racked up double-gold medals and scores in the mid-90s at big competitions, the kind that make bartenders sit up and take notice.
This latest release builds on that legacy, taking their signature Five Malt recipe and giving it the full treatment. First, it matures for five years and seven months in a refill American single malt whiskey cask—letting those malty bones develop slow and steady. Then comes the magic: a finish of one year and nine months in an Arette tequila cask. That's more than double the time they spent on Special Release No. 037, and it shows in every sip. Jeff Kanof, the co-owner and vice president, puts it best: "The extended finishing period allowed us to explore new depths of flavor. This whiskey showcases how patience and quality casks can create something extraordinary." Kanof's no stranger to the grind; he's been right there with Parker and Nutt, tweaking recipes and chasing that elusive balance of bold and smooth.
So, what does all that time in the cask actually taste like? Pour yourself a dram—100 proof, so it's got some kick—and let it unfold. The nose hits first with dropped pine needles and spruce tips, like a walk through the damp Washington woods after a rain. There's a whiff of firewood smoke curling in, grounding it all, before sweeter notes peek through: crème brûlée's caramelized crust, the floral chew of Turkish delight, and a cool menthol edge that keeps things fresh. It's inviting, not overwhelming— the kind of aroma that pulls you in for a closer look.
On the palate, things get interesting. Woody cedar and moss give it that forest-floor depth, with menthol tracing along like a cool breeze. Then the agave steps up, blending into French toast's buttery warmth and a hint of nag champa incense for an unexpected earthy spice. Snap peas add a green snap, crisp and alive. It's a sumptuous ride, layers building without crowding each other out. The finish lingers like a good story—trace mole for that rich, chocolatey undertone, a subtle jalapeño heat that warms without burning, and lemon oil's bright zip to cut through it all. At 50% ABV, it's proofed just right for savoring neat or with a single ice cube, maybe alongside a charred steak or a quiet evening on the porch.
But here's the rub: you can't just waltz into any liquor store for this one. It's a limited release of 322 bottles, each 700ml, priced at $89.99 plus tax and shipping. And it's only available through the Copperworks Whiskey Club—no upfront fees to join, just sign up and you're in on exclusives like this before the world catches wind. Head over to their site at https://www.copperworksdistilling.com/whiskey-club to lock in your spot. If you're in the Seattle area, swing by the tasting room at 1250 Alaskan Way in downtown—it's steps from the piers, perfect for pairing a flight with views of the Sound. Or hit the Kenmore location at 7324 NE 175th St, a bit quieter but no less welcoming. A handful of bottles might pop up at select bars and restaurants around town, too—check their list at https://copperworksdistilling.com/bar-and-restaurants to track them down.
Copperworks isn't content with just making the stuff; they want you to dive into the story. Their tastings and tours peel back the layers on how these spirits come to life, from grain to glass. And if you're feeling hands-on, their single-malt whiskey blending workshop lets you play distiller for a day—mix your own batch, bottle it, and take it home. It's the sort of experience that turns a casual sipper into a lifelong fan. No wonder they snagged Best Distillery in the 2023 Best in the PNW contest from The Seattle Times. In a state where craft everything is king, Copperworks stands out for sticking to small-batch purity, all while keeping things approachable.
Dig a little deeper into their roots, and you see why this tequila cask twist feels so right. Parker and Nutt came from brewing, where innovation meets tradition every day. They ditched the hops but kept the craft beer's soul—superior ingredients, meticulous processes, and a refusal to cut corners. That philosophy birthed not just whiskeys but a whole ecosystem: gins that capture evergreen essence, vodkas smooth as silk, all from that malted barley base. Their stills, those Scottish beauties, ensure every drop carries the weight of history while pushing forward. It's no accident their spirits line shelves across Washington, from dive bars to high-end steakhouses.
Image credit: Copperworks Distilling Company
This Arette collaboration? It's a natural evolution. Special Release No. 037 was the spark— a gin came out of it too, proving the casks could work wonders across categories. But demand for more whiskey was loud and clear, so they sourced extra barrels and let time do its thing. That extended finish isn't just longer; it's deliberate, coaxing out flavors that bridge continents. The pine and cedar nod to the Pacific Northwest's wild side, while agave and jalapeño whisper of Jalisco's sun-baked hills. Mole and lemon oil? That's the mole sauce depth meeting citrus brightness, a finish that begs for another pour.
For the guy who's got a shelf of Scotches gathering dust or a bourbon collection that's seen better days, this is a wake-up call. American single malt is the future—flexible, flavorful, and finally getting the respect it deserves. Copperworks is at the forefront, proving you don't need peat smoke or corn mash to make something memorable. Their 2018 Distillery of the Year nod wasn't a fluke; it's the payoff for betting on barley and copper when everyone else was chasing trends. And those 94-96 point scores? They come from judges who know: this is world-class, bottled in the shadow of the Space Needle.
If you're plotting a road trip up the coast or just daydreaming about your next bottle, make Copperworks a stop. The downtown spot's got that waterfront energy—grab a stool at the bar, order a flight of their core whiskeys alongside this Arette special, and let the bartenders walk you through the nuances. Up in Kenmore, it's more laid-back, ideal for a rainy afternoon deep dive. Either way, you're not just tasting; you're tasting a piece of Seattle's spirit—gritty, innovative, and unpretentious.
As the sun dips low over Elliott Bay, that first sip of Copperworks Arette Tequila Cask American Single Malt Whiskey hits different. It's a reminder that the best things in life—be it a well-aged pour or a hard-earned collaboration—take time. With only 322 bottles out there, it's slipping away fast. Join the Whiskey Club today, snag one before it's gone, and raise a glass to the distillers who dared to ask, "What if?" In a world of same-old-same-old, this is whiskey with a story worth telling. And who knows—maybe it'll inspire your own twist on tradition.
