Wooden Shoes, Tulips, and Bourbon

Those of you who have never visited Holland, Michigan, may be surprised that it is known for wooden shoes, tulips, and bourbon. After a recent sampling of their newly released Fox & Oden Bourbon, I had to make the trip to see the story behind the whiskey.

Coppercraft Distillery was founded in 2012 by distiller Walter Catton. Creating a premium spirit using locally sourced ingredients was the mantra of this craft distillery.

A change in ownership

The CraftCo Company acquired Coppercraft in 2016. There were multiple changes, including the addition of food service and the expansion of the product line. This distillery features numerous spirits, including vodka, citrus vodka, gin, applejack, bourbon, and corn and rye whiskies. Foodservice has been suspended, but there is an inviting bar with table seating for enjoying your favorite cocktail. In 2018, Coppercraft was named Michigan distillery of the year.

Cocktails in a can

Something that immediately caught my eye was the variety of canned cocktails available for purchase, including a gin & tonic, whiskey lemonade, black cherry whiskey, Moscow Mule, and a local favorite, Honolulu Blue. I enjoyed the whiskey lemonade and regret not trying a few more. Each of these cocktails carries a ten percent abv.

The bourbon

While I was there, I sampled the Coppercraft Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The Black Label is a 97-proof blend of sourced bourbons with a minimum age of five years. I was impressed with this whiskey. Their Fox & Oden is a premium bottle weighing in at 99 proof. It is also a blend of mature bourbons, and this bottle is a winner. Not only is the bottle elegant, but the spirit inside is impressive. To watch a video review of Fox & Oden, go to this link.

A new acquisition

Many of you have sampled or heard about the Joseph Magnus line of bourbons. Coppercraft acquired the brand and will distribute it throughout the United States. It is important to note that you cannot sample or purchase Joseph Magnus in the Coppercraft tasting room.

Wooden shoes, tulips, and bourbon are not the only reasons to visit Holland, Michigan. The majestic Lake Michigan shoreline features several beaches, and the downtown area has a nice variety of retail and dining establishments.

For more information or to schedule a tour of the Coppercraft Distillery, you can contact them at 616-796-8274. You can visit the distillery at 184 120^th, Holland, Michigan 49424. They also have a seasonal tasting room in nearby Saugatuck, Michigan.

I want to thank Stephanie for her enthusiasm and for taking the time to show us around and provide the story of Coppercraft. While traveling, remember Michigan has more distilleries than Kentucky and this West Michigan distillery is worth a visit.