From September 22-29, 2023, we’re celebrating Craft Malt Week! Presented by the Craft Maltsters Guild, this annual celebration highlights the deep connection between local agriculture and craft beverages.

To commemorate the occasion, we have a new special release: Copperworks American Single Malt Whiskey, Single Cask No. 442

This single cask was crafted from the Genie barley varietal grown in Reardan, Washington, by Coulee Hite Enterprises, and malted less than an hour away in Spokane Valley, Washington by LINC Malt, a Craft Maltsters Guild member malthouse. The rest of the process (brewing, fermentation, distillation, and maturation) took place in Seattle. This new American Oak cask matured for just over three years before being bottled at cask strength. 60.3% ABV.

Tasting notes: Tangerine, damp pine forest, custard and a familiar chewy lingonberry candy on the nose. Sweet orange, matcha, vanilla, oak, butter mints, and bubblegum are harmonious on the palate. The finish is long and sweet with the butter mints fading into wintergreen and rounding out with a touch of grass and red berry jam on toast.

What is Craft Malt?

As a Craft Malt Certified™ distillery, we’re proud to play an important role in the movement. To keep our certification, we must ensure at least 10% of our annual malt purchases are craft malt. Over the past few years, we’ve averaged 80%, and so far in 2023, 100% of our malt purchases have been craft malt and grown in Washington!

“Malt” is barley (or other grain) that has been steeped, germinated, and dried for use in brewing or distilling. How does the industry make the distinction for craft malt? In short terms, craft malt is small, local, and independent.

Small: A craft maltster produces between 5 and 10,000 metric tons of malt annually.

Local: At least 50% of the grain must be sourced within a 500-mile radius of the malthouse. This gives maltsters flexibility in sourcing during bad crop years.

Independent: The malthouse must be independently owned by a 76% or higher majority.

Learn more about the craft malt movement here.