Proof that craftsmanship doesn’t have to come with a collector’s price tag.
Background
Coopers’ Craft comes from Brown-Forman, the same Louisville house behind Old Forester, Woodford Reserve, and Jack Daniel’s. It’s named for the company’s own cooperage—one of the few distillers that still makes its own barrels—and the brand was created to spotlight those craftsmen whose work literally shapes the whiskey.
The 100-proof Barrel Reserve is the stronger, richer sibling of the original 82.2-proof release. Before the barrels are toasted and charred, they’re chiseled with deep interior grooves, increasing the wood’s surface area and encouraging extra flavor extraction. It’s the same concept that Jack Daniel’s employs for its Sinatra Select—only here the result is a straight Kentucky bourbon instead of a Tennessee whiskey.
The mash bill (75 % corn, 15 % rye, 10 % malted barley) is familiar territory for Old Forester fans, but the chiseled barrels bring a distinct toffee-and-oak depth. Priced around $35, it’s an every-night pour with Saturday-night complexity.
Unfortunately, word is circulating that Coopers’ Craft may be on its way out. Shelves are thinning, distributors are quiet, and fans are starting to panic. If Brown-Forman really is discontinuing this line, that would be a mistake. This bourbon proves that quality, balance, and value can coexist—and that the cooper’s art still matters.
So here’s the plea: don’t bury this bottle. Keep Coopers’ Craft alive for those of us who believe a well-made bourbon doesn’t need a fancy story or a $70 tag to deserve respect.
Tasting Notes
Color:
Really nice—solid copper. I’m guessing the grooved barrel has worked some magic here.
Nose:
A lovely wave of toffee and butterscotch leads the way, with a trace of ethanol and oak drifting in behind it.
Palate:
The mouthfeel shows up a bit thin—not bad, but noticeable. There’s only 15 % rye in the mash, yet it brings a lively hit of baking spice that plays beautifully with warm caramel and toffee. It’s not trying to impress anyone with complexity—it’s simply, deliciously uncomplicated.
Finish:
That thinner body means the finish fades quickly, but not before a pleasant echo of spice and toffee hangs around just long enough to make you smile.
Overall Impression:
I really wish this had wider distribution, because if I could find it regularly, it would be one of my daily go-tos. Coopers’ Craft Barrel Reserve could be a quiet powerhouse if Brown-Forman gives it the shelf space it deserves. Put it in Jacksonville stores, and I guarantee it wouldn’t last long—because I’d buy half the supply myself.
If you spot it, don’t hesitate—buy it.
Copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt.
