Fragrance Review: 51 by Copper Still Fragrance

Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky, home of many bourbon distilleries and a rich history of moonshining, sits a quaint fragrance house that honors these spirits and replicates them in olfactory pleasures.

51, launched in January 2023, is the first official release from the brand Copper Still Fragrance. It combines the typical sweet and spicy notes of a quality bourbon with a captivating gourmand aroma that is unlike anything else. The name "51" comes from the 51% of corn needed in a mash bill for a whiskey to be called a bourbon.

Who Is Behind It? 

The creator of both Copper Still Fragrance and 51 is Joshua Alsip. His inspiration for the brand and fragrance came from the deeply rooted backwoods alcohol producers scattered across Kentucky. These sneaky craftsmen, (and craftswomen), kept their distilleries shrouded in secrecy and evaded the law all while making a living creating and selling their alcohol elixirs.

Copper Still Fragrance keeps the tradition of distilling alive, especially in 51.

Note Breakdown: 

51 by Copper Still Fragrance is an extrait de parfum.

Top notes: Honey, Maple, Plum, Toffee

Middle notes: Bourbon whiskey, Corn

Base notes: Oak, Spices, Tobacco, Vanilla

Packaging: 

51 comes packaged in a miniature whiskey barrel, complete with head and quarter hoops with rivets. The top of the barrel can be removed, revealing the 50ml bottle nested inside. The bottom of the barrel has a fitted foam insert, preventing the bottle from jostling around during transport.

The bottle is made of clear glass. It features a round wooden cap that sits snugly over the atomizer. The liquid inside is a hazy yellowish-brown colour, like bourbon. The nameplate sticker on the bottle is high quality and applied securely.

Joshua was nice enough to sign the barrel for me, making this particular barrel one of a kind. Thank you.

Opening: 

The opening of 51 by Copper Still Fragrance is a sweet blend of honey, maple, and toffee. Along with these distinct notes I was able to detect brown sugar, pecan, and walnut. There was a faint boozy, fruity sweetness in there as well, but it was nestled under the other notes, just barely noticeable.

Upon first sniff, I instantly pictured a stack of pancakes featuring a waterfall of maple syrup. It reminded me of a cozy, warm autumn morning when the sun is just breaking through and the leaves are starting to change colour, but still remain on the trees; It was comforting.

Development: 

Once 51 begins to settle in, the sweetness from the opening steps back and both bourbon and vanilla become the prominent notes. I detected some sweet pipe tobacco. This is also when oak and spice started to appear, giving the overall composition, the realistic bourbon characteristic it was going for.

I can't quite put my finger on what spices I could be smelling, but my intuition and experience with bourbons tells me it could be cinnamon, clove, nutmeg or allspice. Regardless, it isn't spicy like burn-your-tongue-and-singe-your-nose-hairs spicy, but a warm spice, like what you'd find in baked treats during the holiday season.

There is still an underlying caramel/toffee note that compliments the spices nicely. This, in my opinion, makes 51 by Copper Still Fragrance a gourmand fragrance.

Drydown: 

The drydown of 51 by Copper Still Fragrance doesn't vary much from the development. The bourbon note falls back a little bit and the caramel sweetness and mix of oak, spices, and vanilla remains at the forefront.

The overall composition is a pleasant one. Even though it's very boozy, it doesn't come across in a harsh way, as if you'd been drinking whiskey all day. The spices in the composition give the fragrance a very slight burn, but nothing like drinking a barrel-proof whiskey.

Performance: 

Since this fragrance is an extrait de parfum, I only applied two sprays to my bare chest and neck right after a shower. It radiated beyond an arms-length for about an hour and a half. After that, it was noticeable at an elbows-length for roughly another five hours. At around hour seven, it became a skin scent. It dissipated almost completely after eight hours.

While this fragrance didn't last as long as others in my collection, I have heard from others that it lasts beyond 10 hours. This is likely due to skin chemistry or where they applied the fragrance (directly on skin vs on clothes).

You could say this fragrance has a long finish (a term used to describe a bourbons flavour that lingers on the tongue long after its been swallowed).

When To Wear 51 By Copper Still Fragrance: 

In my opinion, 51 by Copper Still Fragrance can be worn from early fall to late spring. It could work in the summer, but probably not on really hot days. Although there are notes of spices, woods, and tobacco, I find the overall composition to be lighter and sweet, not heavy and spicy like many winter fragrances.

51 can be worn day or night. It would be best suited for casual occasions like backyard parties, BBQs, and whiskey tastings. It could work as a date fragrance, too, as long as your date doesn't mind the smell of bourbon.

This isn't a fragrance that should be worn in a professional work setting or out to places like doctor or dentists offices. People unfamiliar with boozy fragrances, especially ones that smell like realistic bourbon, may mistake it as actual booze and think you've been drinking.

Who Is This Fragrance For? 

51 by Copper Still Fragrance is a unisex fragrance that leans slightly masculine. It is a fantastic fragrance for any adult who appreciates the sweet and spicy scent of bourbon with hints of syrup and honey.

This fragrance could be a signature scent if you are a bartender, work at a distillery, or are passionate about whiskies.

Overall Thoughts On 51 By Copper Still Fragrance:

51 by Copper Still Fragrance is bourbon without the burn. The baking spices, oak, vanilla, and gourmand notes give it a unique profile that will make heads turn and get you compliments. There's nothing like it on the market that I know of, so if you are looking for a boozy signature scent, try 51.

If you want to try the fragrance out before purchasing a full bottle, Copper Still Fragrance offers 51 in a 10ml travel size available on their website.

Interested In Other Boozy Fragrances? Check Out:

Speakeasy by Frapin - Minty mojito with sweet pipe tobacco and leather

Don by Xerjoff - Smoky whiskey, cigars, and stacks of money. This is old-school mafia in a bottle.

Fan Your Flames by Nishane - Coconut rum with spicy vanilla and smooth woods.

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