The Cooper Spirits Company has unveiled Lock, Stock & Barrel 20-Year Rye Whiskey.
Lock, Stock & Barrel 20-Year is sourced from Alberta Distillers Ltd. barrels selected by the late Robert J. Cooper. It’s made from a mash bill of 100% rye grain in copper pot stills, aged in cold weather in newly charred — not toasted — American oak barrels.
This series debuted in 2013 with the 13-Year expression, followed by the 16-Year and 18-Year.
“To say that Rob Cooper was a pioneer in the spirits industry is an understatement,” says Chad Solomon, Cooper Spirits’ director of trade advocacy and innovation. “Rye was only in the infancy stages of its revival when Rob began purchasing barrels, cultivating an incredible library built for long aging. His foresight has allowed us to continue producing premium spirits like the Lock, Stock & and Barrel line, and I’m proud to continue this legacy with the launch of the 20-Year.”
Because American whiskeys must age in new charred oak barrels to be labeled bourbon or rye, they run the risk of becoming over-oaked the longer they’re aged. Lock, Stock & Barrel 20-Year avoids this result due to the cold climate, 3.5 barrel-char and lack of toasting, the company says. The whiskey features notes of warm spiced date cake, toffee, baking spice, dried apricot, cantaloupe and peppery rye spice.
The spirit comes in an opaque black glass bottle. Allocated to just 1,000 3-pack cases, and featuring a proof of 112 (56% ABV), Lock, Stock & Barrel 20-Year is available at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $389 per 750-ml bottle.
