Copper Dog Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky | 40% vol | 70cl | Combination of 8 Single Malts | Notes of Spice | Fruit & Vanilla | Speyside Whisky | Best Served Neat or in Cocktails

Product Information

Born out of the warm and mischievous atmosphere of the Copper Dog pub in the Craigellachie Hotel, Speyside, the liquid is a creation of a group of collaborators, connected by the original instigator Piers Adams, an entrepreneur and founder of some of the world’s most influential bars and clubs, including London’s Mahiki and Whisky Mist. Together, they got on to create a whisky that is rouge, inclusive, real and rascally. What truly stands out about Copper Dog is its smoothness and complexity. On the nose, ripe fruit aromas predominate – everything from crisp apple to zesty citrus. The palate follows suit with dried fruit, vanilla and a hint of winter spice – nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon – that add further complexity. Finally, a light peppery oak finish rounds off the experience with a delicate yet spicy ending. In this personal blog, I share my knowledge and insights on Whisky, Whiskey & Bourbon and other spirits, drawing from my 30 years of extensive experience. The Copper Dog is not categorized as a Single Malt Whisky but a blend of eight single malts created at undisclosed Speyside distilleries.

Exploring the Agave Fields of Oaxaca: While my career commenced with a focus on Scotch and Bourbon, life’s adventures have led me to the picturesque agave fields of Oaxaca, Mexico. The aroma of the Copper Dog begins with a blend of apple and pear, followed by honey and a slight hint of ethanol.Having never had any interest in whisky, I appear to have fallen under the spell of Speyside blended Copper Dog” (Dylan Jones, Editor-in-Chief, British GQ)

Monkey Shoulder also pairs well alongside creamy desserts such as ice cream or crème brulee – bringing out the sweet undertones of the whisky without overpowering other flavours.

Recommendations

When debating which whisky is superior, Copper Dog or Monkey Shoulder, the selection ultimately boils down to personal preference. Both spirits feature an individual flavour profile that can appeal to a variety of taste palates. The idea for Copper Dog was born at the Craigellachie hotel, located in the heart of Speyside whisky country. Built in 1893, the hotel pub was a place frequented by local distillery workers and highland travellers who used to share their tales, including those about their copper dogs and smuggling. In 2014, Piers Adam bought the hotel and inspired by these stories, he named the hotel pub the Copper Dog and instigated the creation of a whisky of the same name. The name “Copper Dog” was born from old distillery workers who would sneak a dram for themselves using an ingeniously crafted tool. From disused pieces of metal at the cooperage, they’d fashion their own contraption—soldering a penny to one end and then corking it on the other side. To keep their whisky secure while traversing through each mill, they would attach this makeshift vessel onto either belt or braces with a chain attached. While they do not meet the technical definition of single malt, they offer a similar flavor profile and character to single malt, showcasing the quality and diversity of Scotch whisky production. Scotch Whisky 101 For this recipe you need to make sure you use glasses that can withstand very hot/boiling water or use mugs.

Overall, Monkey Shoulder is an ideal whisky for those looking to have an enjoyable experience without spending too much money. Its unique blend of malts sourced from various distilleries throughout Scotland’s beautiful Speyside region provides a smooth texture with hints aromas of marmalade, crema Catalana cocoa and malt subtly infused with vanilla and a pinch of winter spice – nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon – that add further complexity on the palate. Copper Dog vs Monkey Shoulder: The Comparison To achieve this goal, Monkey Shoulder blended a unique combination of no fewer than three single malt whiskies – Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie – from Speyside distilleries owned by William Grants. The blend is then married for up to six months before bottling at 40% ABV, resulting in a smooth and creamy taste with hints of berry fruit, toasted barley, cloves, butterscotch, Manuka honey and hot-buttered-toast. The finish is short, leaving a bit of caramel and a lingering bitterness from the oak spice. My impression:These experiences have honed my palate and provided me with a profound understanding of the vast world of spirits. Monkey Shoulder on the other hand is more fruity in nature, offering berry notes with hints of apricot and Manuka honey. It develops a smooth texture, balanced out with subtle nuances thanks to the addition of winter spices. When comparing Copper Dog to Monkey Shoulder blended whisky, it’s clear that both offer a unique and complex flavour profile with subtle nuances from the malts sourced from various Speyside distilleries. Additionally, Copper Dog is often paired with cheese boards due to its flavour profile of dried fruit and malt tones. Mature Cheddar Cheese Speyside is considered to be the heart of Scotch whisky due to its close proximity to the River Spey, which offers a quality of water unlike any other water source found in Scotland. Additionally, many within the distilling community have been known to gather in Speyside for over 300 years. With a majority of whisky distilleries within a 20 mile radius, the hotel is an ideal location to stay when embarking on a Scottish Highlands distillery tour. It’s been said that local scotch makers themselves often stop in for a pint and a bite to eat at the Copper Dog pub.