Emma Jones
The Enigmatic Elixir of Leopold Bros. Straight Bourbon
Well, howdy folks! Let’s mosey on down to the world of Leopold Bros. Straight Bourbon, where the whiskey flows as freely as the tales in a saloon. Hailing from the peaks and valleys of Colorado, the Leopold Bros. are two sibling alchemists, Scott and Todd, who’ve turned the family’s distillery into a veritable shrine of spirits. Now, I ain’t one to gossip, but word has it these brothers have stirred quite the potion in their cauldron of a distillery—a potion known far and wide as a craft whiskey with a delightful twist on tradition.
The Tale of Two Brothers and a Distillery
Let’s set the scene: It’s 1999, and the Leopold siblings decide, “Hey, why not start a whiskey dynasty in Ann Arbor, Michigan?” Fast forward to the mid-2000s, they hustle out west to Colorado—a land of rugged landscapes and daring dreams. Lo and behold, by 2014, their newfangled distillery space swings open its doors, ushering in an era of floor malting, yielding such wondrous whiskeys that even the mountains can’t help but peep through the windows in awe.
Every grain of barley is babied by the brothers themselves, right there on the premises, beneath a roof said to shelter the largest traditional floor malting room in all the United States of America. Talk about setting the bar high!
Auctioning Aromas and Capturing a Bourbon Nose
Creep in closer, and let’s have a whiff of what’s wafting out of that glass, shall we? Oh, mercy! It’s like a prairie after a thunderstorm—earthy and sweet, all jumbled together. First to the auction block are our good pals, fresh-off-the-cob corn, cut oak, and spirited grass. But wait—here comes the sweet cavalry: bold candied oranges, sticky marmalade, and ripe honeydew, all jumping into the fray!
Maybe the bourbon’s a touch green behind the ears, but heaven knows the sniffer on your mug won’t mind. Unique? You bet. Intriguing? As a locked chest of pirate treasure. Pleasing? As a hammock in the summer breeze.
The Colorado Distillery Bourbon Ballet
Now dance your taste buds across that palatial palette. A foundation of light oak does a two-step with notes of dough, while vanilla wafers and powdery baking chocolate shimmy right up beside ‘em. A subtle conga line of muddled fruit adorns the affair, twisting sweetness into the mix, and just when you think the show’s over, a rye spice peeks from behind the curtain.
But hold your horses—this highfalutin dance occasionally stumbles as that doughy character lays a hefty foot, casting a shadow over the other dancers like a bear at a garden party. Still, it’s a bold taste tango that’ll twirl your perception of a craft whiskey.
The Departure: A Finish Worthy of a Curtain Call?
The dough ain’t done with you yet, as it tariats its way along your tongue, followed closely by a more assertive kick of rye spice. The flavors fall like a deck of cards—oak, green peppercorn, and the smooth drawl of tobacco. As the rodeo ends, that rye and dough duo tip their hats and skedaddle, leaving your mouth wondering if it was all just a whiskey daydream.
Sure, it’s a quiet exit and not the most memorable, but in the world of spirits, even an understated adieu can leave a lingering invitation for another sip.
Bringing a Dash of Unconventionality
Let’s talk shop, friend—Leopold Bros. Straight Bourbon doesn’t tip its hat to the bourbons of yore. It’s more of a maverick, a lone wolf straying from the pack. Thanks to the brothers’ mad genius, they’ve carved out a name in the rye field, fanning their peacock feathers with releases like the esteemed Three Chambers Rye.
Their ability to malt their very own barley is likely the secret ingredient in their whiskey witchcraft. With a profile where earth cavorts with sweet and dough and dry notes skitter throughout, you might just reckon you’ve stumbled upon an American single malt rather than a bourbon.
Yet, for all its sparkle and shine, it ain’t without a smudge here and there. The palatal performance might feel a tad stifled, the notes entangled like a ball of yarn after a kitten’s done with it. But when taken as a whole, you’re sipping on a neat little parcel of distinctiveness, designed to pique the curiosity of those craving an untraditional bourbon flavor.
The Cost of Craftsmanship
Leopold Bros., bless their hearts, aren’t exactly the cheap seats at the whiskey theater. Their ryes go for the kind of dough that might have you checking your couch cushions—$250! And even their duet with Dickel commands a cool Benjamin. So when you find their Straight Bourbon lining the shelf for $50, you may think it’s a steal—until the sipping starts.
The experience is akin to a roller coaster—a few thrilling loops followed by a lengthy line. The middle bits feel dough-heavy, like a baker’s apron after a day’s work. For the bourbon traditionalists, there are friendlier shores to sail, and the American single malt enthusiasts need only pay a knight’s ransom more for a ticket to paradise.
Wrapping it up, for the price tag it sports, the overall experience falls into the category of: “it’ll do, but won’t do wonders.”
In a Bourbon Bottle: Overall Thoughts on Leopold Bros. Straight Bourbon
Pouring a dram of Leopold Bros. Straight Bourbon is akin to opening a book of bourbon folklore. It won’t regale you with tales of classic bourbon heroics, but rather spin yarns of American single malt mystique. With a unique blend of scents and tastes, it’s like a patchwork quilt—one that comforts with creativity but occasionally scratches with its untrimmed threads.
So, saddle up and ride into the sunset with a bottle of Leopold Bros. Straight Bourbon if you’ve got the spirit for adventure and a wallet that doesn’t shy from a splurge. If you hold the distillery’s ryes in high regard, know that this bourbon treads on different ground. But hey, if you’re itching for a sly fox of a flavor that doesn’t play by the rules, then look no further—this whiskey might just be your huckleberry.
Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Leopold Bros.
Distillery: Leopold Bros.
Release Date: Ongoing
Proof: 90
Age: 4 Years
Mashbill: 64% Corn, 21% Malted Barley, 15% Rye
Color: Light Gold
MSRP: $50 (2023)
I absolutely loved reading about Leopold Bros.’ small batch, maverick approach to crafting their straight bourbon. Their dedication to creating high-quality craft whiskey really shines through in every sip.