Wasmund’s Single Malt Whisky – Batch #21

A pioneering American Single Malt defined by its Virginia provenance and maturation via proprietary applewood and cherrywood smoke and chips.

Historical Context

Wasmund's Single Malt Whisky is the flagship creation of Copper Fox Distillery, founded by Rick Wasmund. The distillery's origins trace back to Wasmund's internship at Scotland's Bowmore Distillery on the Isle of Islay, where he became inspired by the process of floor malting and the distinctive flavour imparted by peat smoke. Upon returning to Virginia, Wasmund pioneered the concept of using local, indigenous fruitwoods—specifically applewood and cherrywood—as the smoking agent to dry the malted barley, providing a distinct regional flavour profile unlike traditional Scotch.

Copper Fox Distillery was incorporated in 2002 and began distilling in 2005 at its first location in Sperryville, Virginia, a converted apple packaging plant. The name "Wasmund's Single Malt Whisky" refers directly to the founder and was the initial designation for the distillery's core product before the brand name sometimes transitioned to Copper Fox Single Malt. Batch #21 represents a bottling from the early years of the distillery, when the pioneering, rapid-maturation technique was still being refined.

The unique production methodology was a necessity born from both innovation and the constraints of the burgeoning American craft distilling scene. Copper Fox was the first distillery in North America post-Prohibition to operate its own malting floor and kiln, giving it unparalleled control over its base ingredients. The decision to use a proprietary "chip and barrel ageing" method—where charred fruitwood chips are inserted into ex-bourbon barrels—was adopted to accelerate the interaction between wood and spirit, enabling the whisky to reach a semblance of maturity much faster than traditional long-term aging requires. This process fundamentally defines the intense, often youthful character of the early batches, including the #21. The distillery's innovative approach was acknowledged when The Atlantic called Wasmund "the country's most exciting distiller."

Technical Specification & Variant Map

Wasmund's Batch #21 is an American Single Malt Whiskey, made from a mash bill of 100% malted barley, often the Thoroughbred 6-row variety grown in Virginia.

The core technical distinction of this release is the pervasive fruitwood influence at two stages: first, the malted barley is smoked using a blend of applewood and cherrywood during the kilning process, offering a completely different smoke profile to peat. Second, the spirit is matured in ex-Bourbon barrels (frequently sourced from A. Smith Bowman Distillery) which contain hand-cut, toasted wood chips of applewood and cherrywood. This dual-exposure provides a unique depth of flavour but also results in the typically rapid maturation period, with early releases like Batch #21 being as young as four months, contrasting sharply with the three-year minimum required for Scotch. It is distilled in a copper pot still in a single-batch style. The liquid is notably non-chill-filtered (NCF).

2.1 Documented variants

Wasmund's Single Malt is defined by continuous, small-batch releases differentiated by batch number and maturation duration.

• Wasmund's Single Malt Batch #21 (48% ABV, 750ml/70cl): The specific release under review, characterized by the raw, youthful, highly fruit-smoked profile of the early production era.
• Wasmund's Single Malt Batch #39 (48% ABV, 750ml/70cl): A later batch showing a reported increase in age (up to 42 months) and subsequent refinement of the wood-chip process.
• Copper Fox Single Malt (General Release): The modern, streamlined branding which continues the 48% ABV, NCF standard but usually features a longer, more refined age profile than the initial Wasmund's-branded batches.

2.2 Packaging & authenticity checklist

The packaging for Wasmund's is minimalist, reflecting its craft origins.

• Closure: Typically a screw cap. Early batches are occasionally found with a hand-dipped soft wax seal applied over the screw cap. The Batch #21 number is prominently displayed on the label.
• Labelling: The authenticity rests on the label clearly identifying "Wasmund's" and the batch number. Look for signs of damage or heavy staining that could obscure the batch information.
• Fill Level: As a modern, screw-capped bottling, the fill level should be high (into the neck). A low fill line would be unexpected and could signal a damaged seal or poor storage, though the soft wax seals on early versions were not always perfectly impervious.
• Common Pitfalls: Buyers should be mindful of the difference between Wasmund’s Single Malt Whisky and their unaged Single Malt Spirit. The use of wood chips to accelerate maturation has also led to some industry skepticism, which buyers may factor into their purchasing decision.

2.3 Regulatory/terminology notes

Wasmund's Single Malt fits the criteria of the American Single Malt Whiskey (ASMW) category.

• Wood Chips: The use of fruitwood chips for accelerated maturation is a technique that yields a unique, high-intensity product quickly, though it remains a contentious practice among traditionalists.
• Non-Chill-Filtered (NCF): The spirit is NCF, meaning natural oils and flavour compounds are retained. This may cause cloudiness or hazing when the whisky is chilled, which is an expected characteristic and not a flaw.
• Age Discrepancy: The lack of a specific age statement for Batch #21 should be noted. However, the use of the early batch number signals that it is one of the youngest releases in the brand's history, predating the later stated 42-month maturation period.

Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)

The profile of the younger Batch #21 is dominated by its unique process, producing a spirit that is aggressively flavourful, with a strong fruit-smoke identity.

Nose: Herbaceous, verdant, and earthy notes are immediately present. The non-peaty smoke profile hints strongly at cherry and applewood. There are notes of raw malt, coppery oil, raw wood, and sometimes an almost mentholated quality from the intense wood interaction.

Palate: Medium body but can feel aggressive due to its youth. The taste is earthy, with prominent notes of sweet cherry and sharp apple fruit overlaying raw grain and wood spice. The chip influence adds a charred sweetness, black pepper, and cinnamon, often tasting of raw oak or a pronounced menthol/herbal quality.

Finish: Medium to long, carrying a persistent, almost cooling quality and the signature char note. The fruit smoke lingers, sometimes compared to pipe tobacco or the aftertaste of a cigar.

With water: Not stated by the producer. Due to the already intense and sometimes raw character of the early batches, adding water is generally not advised as it quickly diminishes the fruitwood smoke and spice, leaving behind primarily the underlying grain notes.

Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)

The market for Batch #21 is driven by the desire for historical examples of American Single Malt. Liquidity is sporadic, and secondary market prices are low relative to specialist retail prices.

Original RRP (GBP): Approximately £35.85 (Based on comparable US RRP of $46.99, converted at FX: 0.76281 on November 7, 2025).

Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): £63.50 - £67.53 (70cl for the modern Wasmund's Single Malt, illustrating the increase in price for later, longer-aged stock).

Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): £20.00 (Batch #21) - £35.00 (Batch #39).

Pricing stratification: Early batch numbers like #21 generally command lower prices at auction than later, more mature batches, reflecting the market's preference for the refined liquid over the historically youthful ones.

FX note: FX: 0.76281 on November 7, 2025 (USD to GBP).

Liquidity & sourcing note: Availability for this specific early batch is scarce on retail shelves and only appears occasionally at auction. Demand is low to moderate, driven by collectors of US craft whisky.

Distillery/Bottler Snapshot

Copper Fox Distillery is an American pioneer, established in 2005 in Sperryville, Virginia. It is unique in North America for carrying out 100% of its own floor malting. The house style is defined by a heavy wood influence, substituting Scottish peat with locally sourced applewood and cherrywood smoke for kilning. The maturation process employs a proprietary "chip and barrel ageing" technique, where ex-Bourbon barrels are supplemented with toasted wood chips to rapidly infuse colour and flavour. This process results in a spirit that is aggressively flavourful, highly distinctive, and generally younger than its Scotch counterparts. Copper Fox continues to champion the American Single Malt category.

Sourcing

Target bottles with the original "Wasmund's Single Malt Whisky" branding and a lower batch number (e.g., #21) for historical and collectable significance, as these represent the distillery's earliest, most experimental phase.

Be wary of bottles that appear cloudy or contain heavy sediment, although NCF status means some haziness is acceptable. Avoid listings that omit the batch number, as pricing can vary drastically between the very young early releases and the later, more mature expressions.

High fill level is mandatory (into the neck). Original presentation boxes are rare for this early production, so their absence is not a major detractor, but a mint label with a legible batch number is key.

Velocity is slow to moderate. Margin expectations are low to moderate; high retail margins exist but secondary market arbitrage is difficult due to low auction values. It performs best as an oddity in a mixed collection sale.