Copper & Cask Liquor Barn Single Barrel 5 Year Straight Bourbon is a cask strength, non-chill filtered single barrel bourbon in a 750ml bottle at 57.9% ABV (115.8 proof). Distilled at MGP of Indiana using one of the most sought-after high-rye bourbon mashbills in American whiskey, this five-year release delivers the kind of full-bodied intensity that barrel-proof enthusiasts demand from independent bottlers. Copper & Cask has drawn critical attention across its lineup, with its 8-Year Double Oak Bourbon named among VinePair’s Best Bourbons for 2024.Quick Facts: ABV: 57.9% (115.8 proof) | Origin: Lawrenceburg, Indiana | 5 Year Age Statement | Bottler: Copper & CaskProduction & HeritageCopper & Cask operates as an independent bottler specializing in single barrel selections and cask strength releases. This expression was distilled at MGP (Midwest Grain Products) in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, using a mashbill of 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley—one of MGP’s most celebrated bourbon recipes, prized for its balance of corn sweetness and assertive rye spice. After five years of maturation in new charred American oak barrels, this barrel was hand-selected as a store pick and bottled without chill filtration at its natural barrel proof of 115.8, preserving the full range of oils, texture, and flavor the barrel produced.Tasting NotesAroma: Caramel and vanilla arrive immediately, followed by toasted almond and a distinctive wintergreen note. The high proof carries these aromas with intensity while remaining surprisingly approachable on the nose.Taste: The entry is rich and sweet, with caramel and vanilla coating the palate in a thick, oily wave. At mid-palate the 21% rye content asserts itself with pronounced spiciness, while almond and wintergreen weave through the underlying sweetness. At full proof the mouthfeel is dense and viscous, rewarding patient sipping.Finish: Medium in length with a warm, cinnamon-driven fade that lingers steadily. Oak tannins emerge alongside residual spice, providing firm structure without turning astringent or bitter.How to Drink Copper & Cask 5 YearAt 115.8 proof, a few drops of water open up the caramel and almond layers while taming the initial heat—a recommended first pour before moving to full proof. Neat sipping at barrel strength is ideal for experienced high-proof drinkers who want to taste the barrel uncut.
Old Fashioned: The cask strength backbone stands up to sugar and bitters without losing definition, producing a bold, well-structured cocktail.
Manhattan: The high-rye mashbill’s spice complements sweet vermouth, creating a dry, complex pairing with real depth.
Bourbon Highball: Lengthened with quality ginger ale, the wintergreen and cinnamon notes become refreshingly vivid in a tall glass.
Best For
Barrel-proof bourbon collectors building a single barrel library
Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who values independent bottlings
Side-by-side tastings comparing MGP-sourced bourbons across different age statements
After-dinner sipping with a single ice cube on a quiet evening
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Copper & Cask 5 Year taste like? It delivers a bold, sweet-and-spicy profile dominated by caramel, vanilla, and wintergreen, with pronounced cinnamon warmth on the finish driven by its high-rye MGP mashbill at cask strength.How does Copper & Cask 5 Year compare to Willett Family Estate Single Barrel Bourbon? Both are sourced, cask strength single barrel bourbons that have built devoted followings among barrel-proof enthusiasts. The Copper & Cask 5 Year skews younger and spicier, while Willett Family Estate picks often carry older age statements and command significantly higher secondary-market prices.Is Copper & Cask 5 Year good for sipping neat? Yes, though at 115.8 proof most drinkers will benefit from a few drops of water to unlock the full range of caramel, almond, and spice without excessive heat.Where is Copper & Cask 5 Year made? It is distilled at MGP (Midwest Grain Products) in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, one of the most prolific and respected contract distilleries in American whiskey, then selected and bottled at cask strength by Copper & Cask.What foods pair well with Copper & Cask 5 Year? Smoked brisket complements the oak and spice; dark chocolate balances the caramel sweetness; pecan pie echoes the toasted almond notes; sharp aged cheddar provides a savory contrast; and warm apple cobbler with cinnamon mirrors the bourbon’s finish.What sizes does Copper & Cask 5 Year come in? This expression is available in the standard 750ml bottle.Is Copper & Cask 5 Year worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium single barrel release, offering cask strength, non-chill filtered bourbon with a five-year age statement at a price point well below many allocated MGP-sourced single barrels, representing strong value for barrel-proof enthusiasts.Why Copper & Cask 5 Year?Copper & Cask has earned a reputation as one of the more discerning independent bottlers in American whiskey, and this five-year single barrel demonstrates why. The MGP 70/21/9 mashbill is among the most celebrated bourbon recipes in current production, sought after by distillers and blenders nationwide for its natural balance of corn richness and rye bite. Bottled at natural barrel proof without chill filtration, nothing has been removed or diluted from what the barrel produced over five years. For drinkers who value honest sourcing, transparent labeling, and uncompromising bottling standards, this release provides an authentic, undiluted snapshot of a single MGP barrel at its peak drinkability.