It’s been a while, I know. Life has a way of throwing curveballs, and over the past three months—between work and bouts of sickness—an unplanned hiatus turned into an opportunity for reflection and recharge.

A lot can shift in three months. Your passion, your palate, or even the simple motivation to sit down and share a few thoughts about whisky. But one thing has remained constant: my anticipation for the Cooper King Embers release. Now, while this isn’t their latest release(s) (stay tuned for that review soon), it’s one I’ve been waiting for with quiet patience. As an added treat, I’ve secured exclusive access to a private casking of Cooper King, which I’ll be reviewing as well. And after recharging my whisky senses and rediscovering my rhythm, it feels like the perfect moment to pour a couple of glasses and dive in.

I’ll admit it—I’ve become something of a Cooper King fanboy. But honestly, who could blame me? There’s so much to admire: their undeniable passion for crafting exceptional spirits, their Tasmanian charm, their commitment to giving back through charitable initiatives, a reasonable price point, and, of course, the diverse range of finishes they offer. What really resonates with me, though, is their Expedition series. As someone who’s always loved travelling (at least before kids came into the picture!), this series strikes a special chord. It’s more than just whisky—it’s a tribute to exploration, discovery, and experience. I’m thrilled to see that spirit of adventure continue with the new Embers release.

After tantalising us with Instagram teasers and a cryptic three-letter clue, it was clear that Cooper King’s next release would be something special—shaped by dark-fired bourbon casks. If you’re unfamiliar, dark-fired is a unique style of cask pioneered by Kentucky’s MB Roland Distillery. Their process involves smoking 130kg of white corn over hickory wood for 5-7 days, blending it into a mash bill with dark-fired corn, rye, and malt. The resulting bourbon, matured in small, heavily charred American oak casks, delivers a rare combination of BBQ smokiness and subtle sweetness. With MB Roland producing only 20-30 casks annually, this style of whisky is as exclusive as it is captivating—and it’s no wonder Cooper King was inspired to create something special.

Equally exciting is the private bottling I’ve come across: ‘The Libertine No.2.’ This unique whisky was matured for 4 years and 6 months in a corn whisky barrel and, given my appreciation for corn whiskys in the past, I’m eager to explore this one. What makes it even more intriguing is that it hails from MB Rowland too. Interestingly, the barrel was filled before the still had been fully lagged, meaning there were early cuts on the barley. As a result, you can expect a distinctive profile with bold, early notes and a character reflective of its unique production process.

Cooper King Embers

ABV: 49%

Price: £85 (available from their online shop)

Nose:  There’s real character in this. You can tell already, especially with the cocoa nibs and Madagascan spiced vanilla pudding which comes through exponentially. It has a subtle but beautiful nose, along with butterscotch and burnt caramel too. Espresso beans and cinnamon lozenges with flat full fat coke.

Palate: Thankfully the palate keeps the pace. Initially, there’s a latte macchiato taste, but it almost transcends to chocolate ginger snaps and burnt oak chips. Real flavour, some maple syrup drizzled excessively over smokey bacon. There’s a little pepperiness that comes through too which gives it some more depth.

Finish: A little more spiced vanilla but the star is the chili honey and the Toffee penny chews to finish. A beautiful dram from start to finish.

Score: 7/10

Cooper King ‘The Libertines No.2’ Private Bottling

Price: ???? Unavailable!

ABV: 55.9%

Nose: Now this is a really interesting nose, there’s almost like a stale grapefruit initially, along with some Granny Smith apples. The sweetness is then followed up with some oatmeal biscuits, honey and flat cherry coke. There’s also a little menthol towards the end too along with some honeydew melon.

Palate: Again, another fantastic palate. It’s packed full of spiced vanilla fudge and then gently changes to sweet honey. There’s a good spicy hit too, cinnamon and a little clove, which gives a beautiful spiciness to it, it’s almost as tantalising as burnt hot cross buns.

Finish: An interesting finishing combo of chocolate limes and gingerbread. Lots more vanilla and honey with lots of heat, right to the very end.

Score: 7.5/10

Summary

What an incredible journey it has been—exploring the wonders of Kentucky and bringing that magic back to England! Collaborations are always exciting, but when they involve whisky, they become something truly special. Although I haven’t had the chance to visit Kentucky yet, this project has propelled it straight to the top of my whisky bucket list. And it’s easy to see why. With the exceptional casks that MB Rowland has offered to Cooper King, the results speak for themselves—no wonder they’ve been such a hit.

The flavours from these casks are nothing short of exceptional. Take the Embers release, for example—while it delivers those classic bourbon characteristics, the dark-fired bourbon twist takes it to another level. The sweetness is perfectly balanced, never overpowering, and the unmistakable BBQ smokiness is an absolute delight. It’s bold and beautiful. Then there’s Libertines No.2, which surprised me in the best possible way. Here, the sweetness steps forward more than expected, but it works beautifully. The depth is great, with herbal notes adding complexity—perhaps a nod to its higher ABV. It’s this richness and unexpected nuance that edged it ahead in my book.

What’s Next for Cooper King?

As I write this, I’m eagerly awaiting the arrival of two new single casks—ready to dive in and share my thoughts. So far, with five or so releases under their belt, Cooper King hasn’t dropped below a solid 7, which speaks volumes about the exceptional quality they’re delivering right now.

Gone are the days of boring, bland, and predictable whisky releases. Cooper King is breaking the mould and redefining what English whisky can be. They’re not just making whisky—they’re pioneering it, blazing a trail for others to follow.

For English whisky enthusiasts like myself, it’s thrilling to see this movement in full swing. Cooper King is setting the standard, and I, for one, am absolutely here for it.