Whiskey Row Cask Strength Bourbon Review

Distillery: Copperhead Distillery—Crestwood, KY

Proof: 111.0 (55.5% ABV)

Age: NAS – Four+ Years

Mashbill: Undisclosed ratio of Corn, Rye, Barley, and Wheat

MSRP: $70

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Bold Proof – Quite Complexity – Big Time Quality

High-proof character and layered mouthfeel converge in this Cask Strength expression from Copperhead Distillery in Crestwood, Kentucky.  Known more broadly as Kentucky Artisan Distillery, the operation was founded in 2012 to serve as a bridge between traditional bourbon values and modern small-batch flexibility.  It remains one of the few distilleries in the region that produces spirits for both in-house brands and select contract clients.

The Whiskey Row brand is anchored in history—named after the iconic stretch of Louisville’s Main Street once home to America’s top whiskey houses—you can call this expression many things but old-fashioned is not one of those.  Bottled at 111 proof and left unfiltered, it delivers significant purity of flavors.  That “textural depth”—meaning a richness that lingers not just in taste but in mouthfeel—is the sign of a well-made cask strength bourbon.

Of particular note is the use of a four-grain mashbill—corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley—an unusual choice in a category that typically relies on three grains.  By incorporating both rye and wheat as secondary grains, the whiskey captures the spicy lift of rye and the soft sweetness of wheat, resulting in a more layered and nuanced flavor profile.  It’s a balancing act that few producers attempt, and fewer still execute well.

Though it carries no formal age statement, the whiskey has been aged for over four years and is part of a broader brand relaunch that includes Bottled-in-Bond and Triple Wood expressions.

Whiskey Row Cask Strength Bourbon Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4.6/5

Sweet dark red cherry and vanilla come forward immediately, but the Nose remains gentle and cohesive rather than sharp.  There’s a slight tobacco undertone beneath the fruit, adding depth.

Palate – 4.7/5

The texture is where this pour shines. Oily and creamy, it coats the mouth with ease.  Sweet orange juice and vanilla ice cream dominate, undergirded by very light hints of cloves.  There’s balance and softness, despite the high proof—a mark of thoughtful distillation and barrel selection.

Finish – 4.6/5

Long and velvety, the finish carries the sweet, creamy notes well into the next sip.  A quiet warmth builds and lingers without turning dry or tannic.  It’s creamy and comforting.

Value – 4.3/5

At a $70 price point, this release delivers a standout price-to-proof ratio—especially considering its polished flavors and richly textured body.  Among non-age-stated cask strength bourbons, it’s a clear value leader.

A word of caution, this is one whose flavor profile makes you forget the proof. It will sneak up on you—it’s just that good. Textured, fruit-forward, and remarkably drinkable for its proof, Whiskey Row Cask Strength Bourbon offers a compelling case for Copperhead Distillery’s blending skill and product maturity.  It’s a bottle that invites repeat pours, rewarding those who enjoy both intensity and finesse.  

Whiskey Row Cask Strength Bourbon Review: The Verdict

Textured, fruit-forward, and remarkably drinkable for its proof, Whiskey Row Cask Strength Bourbon offers a compelling case for Copperhead Distillery’s blending skill and product maturity.  It’s a bottle that invites repeat pours, rewarding those who enjoy both intensity and finesse.  But, a word of caution, this is one whose proof will sneak up on you—it’s just that good.

Verdict – 4.7/5

We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.

Scoring System:

• Platinum – 4.5 – 5
• Gold – 4 – 4.5
• Silver – 3 – 4
• Bronze – <3