Copper Fox Distillery: Sperryville, Virginia
Updated: 15 hours ago
Copper Fox Distillery makes American single malt whisky in Sperryville, Virginia, and is built around two things: malting its own barley by hand and using fruitwood instead of peat.
In this guide
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Copper Fox at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Distillery / brand | Copper Fox |
Country and region | Virginia, United States |
Ownership / operator | Rick Wasmund |
History | The owner and operator is Rick Wasmund. The distillery's own story says he loved the smell of wood smoke from childhood camping trips, later fell for peated Scotch, and went looking… |
Whisky identity | American whiskey with hand-malted barley and fruitwood-smoked malt. |
Visiting | Check the producer's latest official tour and opening information before travelling. |
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Founder and origins
The owner and operator is Rick Wasmund. The distillery's own story says he loved the smell of wood smoke from childhood camping trips, later fell for peated Scotch, and went looking for a whisky flavoured with fruitwood smoke instead of peat. That search took him to Scotland, where he interned at Bowmore Distillery and learned traditional floor malting. After returning he looked for a site and invited family and friends to invest.
The distillery says it opened in January 2005 and that Wasmund's Original Single Malt Whisky followed as the first applewood-aged whisky in the world. It also says the Sperryville site had the first US distillery malt floor and kiln since the repeal of Prohibition.
Two sites
Sperryville, at 9 River Lane on the Thornton River in the Blue Ridge foothills, is a converted cider mill built in 1936 by the Rappahannock Co-operative Fruit Growers. Apple products were sold there under the Skyline Drive and Red Creek names until demand for local apples fell by the late 1970s. Wasmund bought the building on 1 January 2005, according to the Drink Williamsburg history, which says the family business was run for its first seven years by Rick, Helen and partner Sean.
In March 2015 Wasmund bought the former Lord Paget Motor Inn complex from the City of Williamsburg. Built in 1952, it covers a 6 acre plot on Capitol Landing Road beside Colonial Williamsburg. Seven of its nine buildings were converted to distillery use and opened for tours, tastings, events and retail in July 2016.
How it is made
Barley is floor malted by hand on site. The distillery says it is one of only five US distilleries with a malting floor.
Grain is grown locally. The 6-row Thoroughbred barley was developed for Copper Fox at Virginia Tech, and the Drink Williamsburg page adds that the grain comes from Virginia's Northern Neck.
The malt is dried over smouldering local fruitwoods, named as apple and cherry by the distillery and as cherry, apple and peach by Drink Williamsburg.
The spirit is double pot distilled at a low 150 to 160 proof in custom-built copper pot stills.
Maturation uses hand-cut toasted fruitwood in the barrel, and the distillery says it is the only one to mature with toasted applewood.
Products are not chill filtered.
The claims of being unique are the distillery's own and we have not independently verified them.
Visiting
Both sites offer tours, flights and cocktails according to Drink Williamsburg. Distribution outside Virginia is limited. Check the distillery's site for current hours.
Sources
Copper Fox Distillery, Our Story (copperfoxdistillery.com/copper-fox-story)
Drink Williamsburg, Copper Fox Distillery History (drinkwilliamsburg.com)
Wikipedia, Copper Fox Distillery
Glencairn Q and A with Rick Wasmund (whiskyglass.com)
Gaps
Sources differ on which fruitwoods are used. We have not confirmed current range, pricing or output. If you have more information about this distillery, or spot something we have got wrong, contact Whisky Clan and we will update this profile.
What makes Copper Fox distinctive?
American whiskey with hand-malted barley and fruitwood-smoked malt.
Copper Fox whisky bottles and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Copper Fox Original Single Malt | NAS / varies | Check label | American whiskey with hand-malted barley and fruitwood-smoked malt. |
Copper Fox Rye Whisky | NAS / varies | Check label | American whiskey with hand-malted barley and fruitwood-smoked malt. |
This table describes documented expressions. It does not guarantee current stock, age statements or strengths. Check producer labels for details.
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Frequently asked questions about Copper Fox
Where is Copper Fox based?
Virginia, United States.
Who operates Copper Fox?
Rick Wasmund.
What distinguishes Copper Fox?
American whiskey with hand-malted barley and fruitwood-smoked malt.
Which bottlings are documented?
Copper Fox Original Single Malt, Copper Fox Rye Whisky. Some editions may be historical.
Can you visit Copper Fox?
Please check whether tours are currently operating and book through the producer before travelling.
Sources and editorial checks
Original research and historical notes have been retained. Visitor details, owners and bottle ranges may change.
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About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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