Popular Kentucky Distilleries: Copper & Kings

OriginLouisville, Kentucky, United States
ManufacturerCopper & Kings American Brandy Co.
EstablishedFounded in 2014
OwnershipConstellation Brands

Introduction

Copper and Kings Distillery is a renowned American brandy producer founded in 2014 by Joe and Lesley Heron in Louisville, Kentucky. The distillery’s mission was to revive and redefine the American brandy market, which was relatively unknown at the time.

Copper and Kings’ flagship product, American Brandy, was one of their first releases, and the distillery has since expanded its portfolio to include a premium Butchertown Reserve Casks Brandy, as well as fruit-based gins, absinthe, and liqueurs. The distillery has also released occasional special releases.

Copper and Kings has been led by its co-founders, Joe and Lesley Heron, and has also employed notable figures like Chip Tate, the founder of Balcones Distillery, who joined the team to start making brandy. The distillery has also worked closely with the Vendome Copper and Brass Works, its Louisville-based neighbors, who manufactured the copper pot stills used in Copper and Kings’ production.

Throughout its history, Copper and Kings has been committed to sustainability, including the use of a butterfly garden and beehives, and has also embraced innovative practices like “sonic aging,” where music is piped into the barrel house to influence the brandy’s maturation. The distillery’s products are batch-distilled in copper pot stills and are non-chill filtered with no added sugar or other additives, reflecting their commitment to quality and authenticity.

Copper & Kings Bourbon Finished in American Apple Brandy Barrels

Copper & Kings Bourbon

History of Copper and Kings Distillery

Timeline

  • Copper & Kings was founded in 2014 by husband-and-wife duo Joe and Lesley Heron
  • The distillery was established in Louisville, Kentucky, the heart of Bourbon country
  • The Herons’ mission was to bring American brandy to the Louisville market and beyond
  • In 2017, Constellation Brands took a minority stake in Copper & Kings
  • In 2020, Constellation Brands fully acquired Copper & Kings

Famous Product Releases

  • Copper & Kings’ flagship brandy, American Brandy, was one of their first releases in 2014
  • Butchertown Reserve Casks Brandy, a high-proof brandy, was introduced as a premium offering
  • The distillery has also released fruit-based gins, absinthe, liqueurs, and occasional special releases

Important People

  • Joe and Lesley Heron, co-founders of Copper & Kings
  • Chip Tate, founder of Balcones Distillery, who left to start making brandy at Copper & Kings
  • The Vendome Copper and Brass Works, Copper & Kings’ Louisville-based neighbors who manufactured the distillery’s copper pot stills

Significant Historical Events

  • In 2014, when Copper & Kings launched, American brandy was a relatively unknown category
  • The distillery helped to revive and redefine the American brandy market
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Copper & Kings had to adapt by relying heavily on delivery and curbside pickup
  • The distillery’s commitment to sustainability, including a butterfly garden and beehives, has been an important part of its history

Interviews

  • Joe Heron has been quoted saying that Copper & Kings sees itself as “market makers” who identify gaps in the market and then work to fill them
  • Heron has also discussed the distillery’s focus on nondiscrimination and environmental responsibility as core values
  • The Herons have emphasized Copper & Kings’ use of “sonic aging,” where music is piped into the barrel house to influence the brandy’s maturation

Products and Practices

  • Copper & Kings brandies are batch-distilled exclusively in copper pot stills and are non-chill filtered with no added sugar or other additives
  • The distillery uses a “low and slow” distillation philosophy to extract maximum fruit intensity and flavor
  • Copper & Kings ages its brandies in once-used Kentucky Bourbon barrels, which imparts unique flavors
  • The distillery grows some of its own fruit for its brandies and other spirits, highlighting its commitment to sustainability

Source


[1] https://www.marketwatchmag.com/more-than-a-distillery/
[2] https://kybourbontrail.com/distillery/copper-kings/
[3] https://distiller.com/articles/copper-kings-american-brandy
[4] https://drinkinsider.com/2016/02/copper-kings-american-brandy/
[5] https://www.copperandkings.com/pages/our-craft