Penderyn Icons of Wales No. 12 Copperopolis Sweet Red Wine Finish Single Malt Welsh Whisky 46%

Swansea once smelled of copper smoke. For over two hundred years, half the world's copper was smelted right here, and Penderyn has now poured that legacy into a bottle, distilled inside the old copperworks' own powerhouse.

Expert description

Penderyn Icons of Wales No. 12 Copperopolis is a Single Malt Welsh Whisky finished in sweet red wine casks and bottled at 46%. The name Copperopolis was Swansea's nickname from around 1720, when the town accounted for roughly half of the world's copper smelting and around 90% of Britain's — and Penderyn's Swansea distillery sits inside the former Copperworks Powerhouse, right in the middle of that history.

The red wine casks add a sweet, fruity layer on top of Penderyn's clean, light spirit from the Faraday still. The result ties Welsh industrial history to modern craft — equal parts tribute to the past and proof that the distillery can still surprise you.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose offers orange blossom, peach and cherry, backed by vanilla, honey and a touch of dried fruit and spice.

Palate

The palate is rich with caramel and honey, raisins, figs and a peppering of oak spice, driven by the sweetness of the red wine casks.

Finish

The finish dries gradually toward oak, citrus and a light cocoa note that ties the whole sip together.

Specifications

Name: Penderyn Icons of Wales No 12 Copperopolis Sweet Red Wine Finish Single Malt Welsh Whisky 46%
Distillery: Penderyn
Region/Country: Swansea, Wales
Type: Single Malt Welsh Whisky
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Sweet red wine casks (finish)
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Distillation method: Faraday distillation
Edition: Icons of Wales No. 12
EAN no.: 5011594003440

Flavour profile

Red wine-finished · Fruity · Spiced

Did you know?

Copperopolis isn't poetic licence but historical fact: at its peak, Swansea produced so much of the world's copper that the town effectively set the global price of the metal — an influence it lost long ago, but which Penderyn now keeps alive in a bottle.

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Frequently asked questions about Penderyn Icons of Wales No 12 Copperopolis Sweet Red Wine Finish Single Malt Welsh Whisky 46%

What does the name Copperopolis mean?

Copperopolis was Swansea's nickname through the 1700s and 1800s, when the town accounted for much of the world's copper smelting. Penderyn's Swansea distillery sits inside the former copperworks' powerhouse.

What does Penderyn Copperopolis taste like?

It's rich and fruity, with orange blossom, peach and cherry on the nose, while the palate is dominated by caramel, honey and fig, finishing dry, spiced and oaky.

What number is Copperopolis in the Icons of Wales series?

Copperopolis is number 12 in Penderyn's Icons of Wales series, where each release honours a piece of Welsh history or culture.

Is Copperopolis a smoky whisky?

No, its character comes from sweet red wine casks, not peat — there's no smoke note here.

Does Penderyn Copperopolis pair well with dessert?

Yes, the sweet caramel and fig notes match well with dark chocolate or a fruit-based dessert.

Is Penderyn Icons of Wales No. 12 worth it?

The series is known for pairing a high standard of spirit with stories unique to each bottle — Copperopolis is every bit as thoroughly researched as its siblings in the range.