Copper Fox Distillery

Overview of the Distillery

Copper Fox Distillery in Virginia is an American distillery that specializes in single malt and other types of whiskey with a clear emphasis on the role of wood. Under the leadership of Rick Wasmund, the distillery combines traditional floor malting with oven-drying of the malt over fruitwood smoke as well as maturation with toasted applewood and other fruitwoods. The result is a profile where local grain supply and wood influence are at the center.

History

The history begins with Rick Wasmund's fascination with campfire smoke and the flavors of malt and peat. He traveled to Scotland to study and worked as an intern at Bowmore, where he learned the craft of floor malting. After returning home, he began to realize the idea of an American single malt flavored with smoke from fruitwoods. The Sperryville distillery opened in January 2005 and reportedly brought the first US malt-floor and kiln since Prohibition. Early products such as Wasmund’s Original Single Malt were launched as applewood-aged whiskeys, and Copper Fox has since maintained a local focus: all grain comes from a single farmer, and a special six-row 'Thoroughbred' barley was developed in collaboration with Virginia Tech.

Raw Materials and Production

Copper Fox works with ingredients sourced from local agriculture and maintains a direct connection to the grain through traditional floor malting. The recipe they follow includes hand-malted barley and kiln-drying, where the kiln's heat is supplied by smoldering fruitwoods instead of peat. Distillation takes place in pot stills with double pot distillation and at a low proof (around 150–160 proof) to preserve fruity esters. The distillery also uses the malt in bourbon productions with wheated mash bills, and several product types are bottled without chill filtration to preserve natural oils and body. Floor malting, the use of hand-cut toasted fruitwood, and the barley variety collaboration with Virginia Tech are all central craft characteristics.

Aging and Barrel Types

Copper Fox uses not only traditional oak barrels; they also utilize toasted applewood as an active part of maturation to build on the malt’s smoke notes. In their bourbon line (Dawson’s Reserve), new oak barrels are used, where the bourbon has been aged for over four years. The combination of kiln smoke from fruitwood and the use of toasted fruitwood in aging is a deliberate move to add extra layers and nuance to the finished whiskies.

Whiskies

The range spans from their bold American single malts—often named Wasmund’s or Peachwood single malts—to a rye and a wheated bourbon (Dawson’s Reserve). The core selection includes both smoked single malts, a rye, and a bourbon, and the products are sold through the distillery shop, via Virginia ABC, and through selected retailers. Several labels have received awards and coverage in national and international publications.

Whisky Style and Flavor Profile

Through reviews and product descriptions, three flavor directions recur: fruitiness (dried fruit, peaches, pear, citrus), a malt-and-honey sweetness, and a subtle, salted fruit smoke. In addition, spicy tones (spices, clove, pepper) are highlighted in the rye products, and floral nuances are noted especially in connection with the peachwood influence. These elements appear in both lab notes and reviewer tasting notes and cross over the distillery's single malts and rye.

Visit the Distillery

The distillery operates two visitor locations in Virginia: Sperryville and Williamsburg. Sperryville is near Shenandoah National Park and offers guided tours (about 45 minutes) at select times, a riverside cocktail garden with both outdoor and indoor seating, tasting flights, handmade cocktails, and a shop. Tours in Sperryville run on fixed times and cost $10 per person; children 12 and under are free; larger groups should book via email. The Williamsburg location has its own hours and booking options. Both locations encourage using the provided contact channels for reservations.

The stated opening hours are Williamsburg: Mon–Thu 14:00–20:00, Fri–Sat 12:00–21:00, Sun 12:00–18:00. Sperryville: Sun–Wed 12:00–18:00, Thu–Sat 12:00–20:00.

Philosophy and Craft

Copper Fox prioritizes the influence of wood, local raw material availability, and traditional methods. The distillery's core idea is to use fruitwood smoke in the kiln and toasted applewood in aging to create distinctive flavor layers, while preserving artisanal practices such as floor malting and non-chill filtration.

Awards and Recognitions

• Gold Medal — 92 Points (Exceptional, Wasmund’s Single Malt Whisky)

• Gold Medal — 94 Points (Exceptional, Copper Fox Rye Whisky)

• Gold Medal — 92 Points (Exceptional, Copper Fox Peachwood American Single Malt Whisky)

• 94.5 Points (2015, Wasmund’s Single Malt Whisky)

• 95 Points (2022, Copper Fox Peachwood Single Malt)