Award-winning Seattle distillery Copperworks Distilling Co. is set to unveil its highly anticipated 2026 Archive Release, a curated collection of some of its rarest and most significant whiskey and gin releases spanning nearly a decade of craft distilling excellence.
“These archive releases let us look back and showcase our history,” said Copperworks President and Co-Founder Jason Parker.” This year’s archive release is particularly special, featuring only ONE bottle of Copperworks’ legendary first-ever whiskey, Release No. 001, originally released on August 27, 2016. These special releases offer newer Copperworks fans a chance to taste some of our earliest products and allow collectors the opportunity to secure a unique piece of our history.”
To ensure fair access to the historic Release No. 001, Copperworks will hold a drawing at the end of the archive sale period, with entries awarded for each archive bottle purchased.
“With only 61 total bottles available across 11 different releases, this year’s archive sale represents some of the rarest opportunities to own Copperworks history. The lottery system for Release No. 001 ensures fair access to this legendary bottle, while the diverse selection showcases Copperworks’ innovative approach to both whiskey and gin production – from traditional American Single Malts to experimental brewery cask finishes,” said Copperworks Co-Owner and Vice President Jeff Kanof.
2026 Archive Release + Special Event (January 22)
WHEN
– Archive Release Exclusive Premiere (Members & Investors Only): Thursday, January 22, 5pm-7pm at Seattle waterfront distillery
– Copperworks Whiskey Club Members Can Purchase Archive Releases: Friday, January 23 (online & in-person)
– General Public Can Purchase Archive Releases: Saturday, January 24 (online & in-person)
PLEASE NOTE | Join Now for event access/early access
Whiskey enthusiasts can join the Copperworks Whiskey Club to gain access to the January 22 Exclusive Premiere event AND early purchasing access on Friday, January 23 (one day before the general public).
LINK TO JOIN: https://www.
WHERE
Copperworks Seattle Distillery & Tasting Room: 1250 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101
– Online: Archive Release
SPECIAL EVENT
The Archive Release Exclusive Premiere on January 22 will feature:
– Tasting flights of (almost) all archive releases
– Early purchase access for members and investors
– Co-Founder and President Jason Parker on hand to share the stories behind each release
– Light charcuterie
2026 ARCHIVE RELEASE LINEUP (please see below my signature)
This year’s collection spans Copperworks’ history from their very first release to innovative cask-finished gins, showcasing the evolution of Seattle’s award-winning craft distillery:
TO PURCHASE
2026 ARCHIVE RELEASE LINEUP
WHISKEYS
Release No. 001 – Qty: 1 (Lottery Drawing)
Copperworks’ very first whiskey release! Crafted from pale malted barley and matured for 2 years 6 months in charred new American oak. 52% ABV.
Tasting notes: Nose of soft honey and black tea aroma, smooth mouth feel, and flavors of smoked orange toffee, giving way to black pepper and leather.
Originally Released: August 27, 2016
Release No. 006– Qty: 4
Crafted using the Five Malt recipe, combining seven barrels matured in new American Oak with a half cask matured in used Oloroso Sherry cask. 47.5% ABV.
Tasting notes: Nose of dried fruit especially cherry and orange. The flavor has notes of leather, almond paste, and more dried fruit, with a finish of slight walnut and leather notes.
Release No. 236 – Qty: 2
Five Malt recipe matured for three years and two months in new American oak, bottled at cask strength. 59.95% ABV.
Tasting Notes: Grass, a heap of spice: dill, black pepper, clove, sage, pine resin, then citrus fruits, lemon, mandarin, then melon rind, finally some caramel coming through. Flavor is quite grassy up front, a heap of that spice is up front, but with a bit of sweetness, brown sugar, black berries, cinnamon, nutmeg, baked apples, baking chocolate. The finish is long, cinnamon apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, black tea.
Release No. 024 Three Magnets Brewery Cask Finished – Qty: 14
Five Malt recipe matured 2 years 5 months in new American oak, finished 2 months in a Copperworks cask used to barrel age Three Magnets “Major Tompkins Oatmeal Stout.” 50% ABV.
Tasting Notes: Aromas of citrus peel, chocolate truffle, and iced tea meet dark fruit, cocoa, and coffee fudge flavors on the palate. On the finish, lychee, exotic spices, coffee, and chocolate tiramisu.
Hair of the Dog Matt Cask Finish – Qty: 5
Crafted using Oregon Genie barley, aged 3+ years in new American Oak (char #2), finished 8 months in bourbon cask that held Hair of the Dog’s Matt American Strong Ale. 50% ABV.
Tasting notes: Maraschino cherry, plum, raisin, and chocolate malt balls on the nose with flavors of citrus, milk chocolate, vanilla, and caramel on the palate, with an oak, spice, and citrus finish
Hair of the Dog Adam Cask Finish – Qty: 4
Crafted using Oregon Genie barley, aged 3+ years in new American Oak (char #2), finished 8 months in bourbon cask that held Hair of the Dog’s Adam Ale. 50% ABV.
Tasting Notes: bright citrus, confectioners’ sugar, pine, and strawberry on the nose with flavors of citrus, cinnamon, malty sweetness, spice and chocolate lava cake on the palate.
Release No. 040 – Qty: 2
Single cask whiskey made from 100% Washington Copeland barley from Skagit Valley, smoked with Washington peat, matured 5+ years in lightly charred new American Oak. Bottled at natural cask strength. 65.5% ABV.
Tasting Notes: Aromas of chocolate mint, black tea, and lemon custard lead to flavors of honey, cream cheese frosting, butterscotch, and salted caramel. Flavors carry through to the finish, with lingering smoke and a slight earthiness. A great whiskey for the winter months.
GINS
Cask Finished Gin – Spanish Brandy & Jamaican Rum – Qty: 7
Copperworks Gin aged in Spanish brandy cask for 2+ years, then Jamaican rum cask for 6 months. 50% ABV.
Tasting Notes: Mouthwatering brown sugar, peppercorns, citrus, ginger, and sweet grass.
IPA Cask Finished Gin (Release No. 029) – Qty: 8
A unique collaboration: cask used for Copperworks gin was filled by Elliott Bay Brewing to create barrel-aged Demolition IPA, then returned to Copperworks and refilled with gin for almost a year. 50% ABV.
Tasting Notes: Lemon balm, citrus hard candy, eucalyptus, peppermint, and bitter hop notes.
Tonic Barrel Gin (Release No. 038) – Qty: 5
Finished in a barrel that previously held Bradley’s Kina Tonic, a Seattle-based small batch tonic producer. 50% ABV.
Tasting Notes: Bright citrus and juniper meet toasted cinnamon and chinchona for what feels like an expressive gin and tonic reduction. Perfect for a cocktail, or great on its own.
Hair of the Dog Adam Cask Finish Gin – Qty: 3
Finished 8 months in a bourbon cask that previously held Hair of the Dog’s Adam Ale. 47.05% ABV.
Tasting Notes: Bright and fresh, the nose offers notes of sugared ruby red grapefruit, kumquat, tart cherries, and cinnamon. The palate follows with freshly smashed chocolate orange accompanied by monkey bread, tangerine, cotton candy, and sage, all supported by the small batch gin base. Rounding out the experience are hints of sugar cane, cherry pie filling, sarsaparilla, and spice.
