Cooper & Thief Cellarmasters, the leading luxury bourbon barrel-aged wine brand in the U.S., has announced a strategic collaboration with Kentucky-based Larceny Bourbon. The partnership has resulted in the release of the Cooper & Thief x Larceny Napa Valley Red Blend, a limited-edition wine finished in Larceny’s signature wheated bourbon barrels.
The collaboration represents a convergence of two "category-disrupting" brands. While traditional bourbon uses rye as a secondary grain, Larceny utilizes wheat for a softer profile. Similarly, Cooper & Thief has built its market position by challenging conventional luxury wine standards through spirits-barrel finishing.
A Technical Approach to Flavor Profiles
The unique finishing process is designed to bridge the gap between spirits and viticulture. By using barrels that previously held Larceny’s wheated bourbon, the cellarmasters have introduced whiskey-driven aromas of warm caramel, butterscotch, and toasty oak into the wine.
"Larceny Bourbon is crafted with a wheated mashbill that creates a softer, rounder whiskey with notes of caramel, honey, and toasted oak," said Conor O’Driscoll, Master Distiller for Larceny Bourbon. "When those barrels are used to finish a wine like this Napa Valley Red Blend, they layer in a rich sweetness, enhance the wine’s texture, and add depth through warm baking spice and subtle vanilla notes."
Sourcing and Composition
To support the bold profile required for bourbon-barrel finishing, Cooper & Thief selected concentrated fruit from Napa Valley. The 2023 vintage, characterized by cooler conditions, allowed for a balance of richness and freshness.
The blend composition includes:
Primary Varietal: Malbec
Supporting Varietals: Zinfandel and Petite Sirah
Finishing: Small-batch Larceny Bourbon barrels
This specific Napa Valley release is distinct from the brand’s core California Red Blend, which primarily features Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Merlot.
Market Positioning and Availability
The "spirits-barrel-aged" segment continues to be a high-growth area for luxury wine, appealing to consumers looking for adventurous flavor profiles. Michelle Diemer, Senior Director of Marketing for Cooper & Thief, noted that the collaboration was specifically "created for the traditional bourbon drinker who loves exploring unique and thoughtful expressions."
The Cooper & Thief x Larceny Napa Valley Red Blend has already secured a 93-point score from The Tasting Panel Magazine. The product is scheduled for a nationwide rollout at select retailers this March with a suggested retail price (SRP) of $34.99.
This launch joins the existing Cooper & Thief portfolio, which includes a California Red Blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir, further solidifying the brand’s dominance in the bourbon-barrel-aged wine category.
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