Copper & Kings American Brandy Co. is launching limited release artisanal 7-year-old pure Muscat brandy dubbed Blue Sky Mining. According to a news release, it’s matured 30 months in a single Kentucky hogshead barrel, and the non-chill filtered spirit is unadulterated by any post distillation infusion of boisé (oak flavor or infusion) or caramel color for a natural color and natural flavor.

Blue Sky Mining Muscat brandy.
Blue Sky Mining Muscat brandy.

As is the habit of Copper & Kings, this release, like all others, will be celebrated with a March 24 party at its distillery in Butchertown (1121 E. Washington St.) Patrons will enjoy unique aerial arts performed by Louisville’s own aerialists, Suspend, who will also be serving elevated cocktails. The event also includes live music from Exacta Cube and bottle signings by local label artist AngryBlue. The $10 admission includes a Blue Sky Mining taste, and the distillery will also open for after dark tours and food will be served along with a cash bar.

Approximately 600 bottles (375mL each) will be produced and sold at the distillery and by request in a selection of superlative bars and liquor stores across the USA. The original fine art is painted by local Louisville artist AngryBlue.

“We are privileged to live in America,” said founder Joe Heron. “Blue Sky Mining is meant to reflect and celebrate what really makes America great: the imagination, the invention, that unique ability to dream big and then to actually mine that big blue sky of ideas and make beautiful things happen.”

“Wow, wow, wow—we couldn’t have dreamed this one up,” said head distiller Brandon O’Daniel. “It’s just spectacular, heavenly, easily some of the best liquid to come out of our basement cellar. Muscat de Alexandrie aromatics have always been spectacular, and this is illustrating that beautifully.”

The larger volume, 80-gallon hogshead, with used Bourbon staves and new American oak heads, turned out to be a fantastic medium for brandy maturation, O’Daniel said.

Copper & Kings 3 Blue Sky Mining Pure Muscat Brandy (100 proof/50% ABV)

  • $40 per 375mL bottle
  • Appearance: Dark fall honey.
  • Aroma: Luscious tropical notes – melon, hibiscus. Quite bright with hints of roses.
  • Taste: Nice Muscat fresh grape juice, with a touch of ripe, bruised peach. Lightly spicy and lively.
  • Finish: Gorgeous creamy mouthfeel, silky with a lingering faint sweetness.