Copper Dog is a blended scotch whisky from the Speyside region of Scotland. It is a whisky known to be a blend of 8 single malt whiskeys and is light & fruity, with a spicy finish. In this post, we shall cover everything you need to know about this spectacular whisky, from where it got its name, to how it smells and tastes. So, if you have a bottle of Copper Dog at hand, pour a dram for yourself, sit back, and indulge me!
Copper Dog Basics
To start, let me just get some general information out of the way so that we can delve into some of the more interesting stuff.
- Whisky Type: Blended Whisky
- Country: Scotland
- Scotch Whisky Region: Speyside
- ABV (Alcohol by Volume): 40%
- Cask: Old Oak Casks
- Distillery/ Place of Origin: The Craigellachie Hotel
- Master Blender: Stuart Morrison
- Notable Awards & Recognition:
- Best Blended Scotch – L.A. Spirits Awards 2021
- Gold Medal – San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2021
- Gold Medal – International Spirits Challenge 2020
- Price Range: $30 – $35
Where Does Copper Dog Get Its Name?
The Copper Dog whisky is eponymous with the pub in which it was conceived, located in the Craigellachie hotel. The hotel is situated at the heart of the scenic Speyside valley of Scotland and offers luxurious stays and fine-dining experiences. The Copper Dog Pub and the Quaich Bar are said to have a selection of over 1000 whiskeys to choose from, which is enough information to get me putting some funds aside and plan a trip!
Coming back to the name “Copper Dog”. This name is meant to pay homage to an age-old DIY gadget distillery workers would use to smuggle whisky at the end of the day. It is typically a short copper pipe with one end welded with a penny or a shilling to close it and a cork on the other, making it a smart little container. It was then tied to a chain and hung inside the trousers to conceal it.
Let’s look at some of Copper Dog’s marketing material on the website to see how they describe it.
“Copper Dog is inspired by the resourceful rascals of Speyside; distillery workers who fashioned ‘Copper Dogs’ out of scraps of metal and pennies to smuggle out the Scotch they made to enjoy with their friends and family. They called them Copper Dogs as they were their owners’ best friend, never leaving the master’s side.”
I hope that gave you some perspective on the background of this whisky. But now let’s get into the actual taste and smell it has to offer.
Copper Dog Nose
While a lot of whisky reviews spoke of orchid fruits notes coming up strongly, I for one felt it to be a bit more heather-y and grassier. The orchid fruits such as apple and pears come after. There is supposed to be some citrus, but it was a bit hard for me to find it. It also had the classic Speyside honeyed cereal notes. To summarize some of the prominent notes, they would be as follows:
- Grass, Heather
- Apples
- Pears
- Peach
- Honey
Copper Dog Palate
In the first sip, I tasted the orchard fruit very strongly. Some gentle caramelized sugar and toffee apple. The citrus that I could not find in the nose was definitely here on the tongue. The hint of orange zest in the background gave a very refreshing mouthfeel. The finish was all wood spice like cinnamon. The most prominent tasting notes for me would be:
- Crunchy Green Apple
- Pear
- Honey
- Orange Zest
- Toffee
- Cinnamon
- Oak
While my notes are based on having the whisky neat, there are other ways to enjoy it, as well. In fact, the Copper Dog website also markets it to be used as a mixer and has a couple of cocktail recipes. I will share a couple of them that I found interesting.
Copper Dog Whisky Cocktails
While I prefer enjoying whisky straight up or with a few drops of water, whisky with mixers is also a great way to go. Based on the palate that Copper Dog brings to the table, here are 3 simple cocktails you can try at home!
Apple Dog
Recipe:
- Fill a Glass with Ice
- 50 mL Copper Dog Whisky
- Top it up with Green Apple Juice
- Garnish with an Apple Wedge
Ginger Dog:
Recipe:
- Fill a Glass with Ice
- 50 mL Copper Dog Whisky
- 2 Dashes of Bitters
- Top it up with Ginger Ale
- Garnish with a Lemon Wedge & Few Mint Leaves
Copper Dog Iced Tea (Peach)
Recipe:
- Fill a Glass with Ice
- 50 mL Copper Dog Whisky
- Top it up with Peach Iced Tea
- Garnish with a Thin Peach Wedge & Few Mint Leaves
Conclusion
In my opinion, Copper Dog offers great value for money. Smooth and easy on the palate, perfect to get newbies introduced to whisky. If you are looking for something more complex, maybe a Monkey Shoulder, yet another Speyside Blended Scotch can be right up your alley.
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