Louisville-based Copper & Kings American Brandy Co. announces its latest unique barrel-finished, pure copper pot distilled American apple brandy, “Northern Soul,” a limited release aged in Michigan hard cider casks from famed Michigan cidery, Vander Mill.
The apple brandy is 57 months old, including 14 months of finishing in award-winning Vander Mill sixty-gallon hard cider casks, following an original 43 months in Kentucky bourbon barrels. Double-distilled using fermented fresh-pressed apple juice from Michigan, the spirit is non-chill filtered, nor adulterated with apple flavors, apple essences, boisé (oak flavor or infusion) or caramel color.
“We are tremendously proud of our apple brandy, and as proud of the wonderful fruit that we source exclusively in Michigan,” says Copper & Kings Master Distiller, Brandon O’Daniel. “We make an old school apple brandy, double-distilled Michigan apple wine fermented in Michigan to our unique specifications using fresh pressed apple juice. We don’t mess with it in terms of adding apple flavors, essences or caramel colors— this is it—distilled Michigan with a touch of K. E .N. tuckee. This apple brandy is very true to the fruit. Full on apple on the nose, and it has some nice red skin tannins and a little brown sugar. But really its authentic apple brandy from the tip of your tongue to the back of your throat. The Vander Mill cider casks not only add polish, but also some apple density. It’s a juicy start, with some light oak tannins and caramel, honey, then finishes slightly dry.”
“Michigan has it all. Great art, legendary music, natural beauty to end all natural beauty, and most of all fabulous people,” says Copper & Kings Co-Founder, Joe Heron. “We hope we do justice to the state and everything it stands for, this is us raising a glass with the people of the Mitten.”
Vander Mill Cider was established in 2006 and is a founding member of the Michigan Cider Association. Owner Paul Vander Heide says: “I’ve admired Copper & Kings and the folks there for many years. They share our values; authentic use of fruit, and continual innovation, enjoying themselves and collaborating with brewers, whiskey distillers, and of course with us at VDM – their first cider partnership. They’re fun to be with, good friends, and it’s just fantastic for us to champion Michigan, and everything we stand for, together.”
Copper & Kings creative director, Ron Jasin says, “I’m born and bred Detroit, transplanted to Kentucky. Capturing the essence of Michigan in a glass, reflecting and paying homage to the musicians and natural beauty of Michigan is just straight outright fun. This is cool. And I’m proud to be part of it.”