Green Spot Chateau Leoville Barton review (part 2): Consummation
Apparently based on reader feedback, some of you drunken SOBs felt slighted due to the lack of details around the actual contents of the bottle. While what follows is that actual review, I would like to say I write it under protest as I am not normally one to succumb to this new-fangled hipster lifestyle that you all have clearly adopted as your battle flag. I mean seriously, how do you call yourself a man when you focus on the actual contents of the bottle rather than the superficial packaging?! I was so outraged by this feedback that I had to spend an entire day with my beard trimming consultant and listening to music you probably won’t hear about for months just to get in the right headspace. But since Richard told me I had to here goes….
A friend asked if he could post a review for our blog of the new Chateau Leoville Barton finished Green Spot. So of course I said “sure why not.” This is the first in a potential series titled “Whiskey Irreverent with Stefan” and I hope you enjoy. Green Spot Chateau Leoville Barton review : Foreplay
Let’s start from the beginning. Just looking at the packaging it is obvious this is not a bottle for the common man. There are no cute pictures of ponies or fruit or old men smoking cigars, just words. And not just regular words; there are not just Irish words on the cardboard tube but French ones too. Plus it’s green. I mean Pappy 23 doesn’t even come in a protective cardboard tube. Just some crappy velvet bag that will only contain the shards of glass if you drop it. This tube will let you get St Paddy’s day in Boston schnockered and still protect your coveted Irish coffee mixer without so much as even a scratch as the po-po grinds your face into the ground and books you for pissing in public. In a church. On a Tuesday.
Sinner.
Looking at the bottle, the label clearly states that it is better than all other Irish whiskeys. Which, by extension, means that he who possesses such a magnificent bottle (and cardboard tube) is clearly better than all those who don’t possess it. Which is most of you if you are still reading this review rather than sitting in the tank after emptying the aforementioned bottle into your drunken Irish gullet. In a church. On a Tuesday. The bottle is clear like a Flint Michigan water and the shoulders are abrupt and possess notes reminiscent of an Eastern European gymnast. Looking at the liquid inside, it is obvious that this is the creation of at least 5…no….6 men who possess beards of Paul Bunyan status. But you already knew that.
The cork is noble and draws influence from Lady Di (or is it Gaga?). The impact of both Greco and Roman wrestling is obvious and one wonders how the bottle ever made it to market with such an obvious conflict between the two styles, especially when you consider how global warming complicates the entire debate beyond that of common dinner table banter.
Clearly this is a bottle that transcends generations, except baby boomers, who can’t appreciate an expression of this voltage unless it is mixed with carrots and puréed. When one finally peels the foil off the cap like a bride’s gown on her wedding night to reveal its magical contents is there really anything else let to say?
Ezra B Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 12 Years Barrel 558 49.5% ABV $35 Website What the Bottler Says: Carefully stored away and undisturbed for 12 years inside select, heavily charred White Oak Barrels until it reaches its peak of smoothness, Ezra B 99 Proof Single Barrel Bourbon is truly a smooth, mellow bourbon whiskey. Backed behind seven generations of whiskey producing tradition, Ezra B uses only the choicest of grains, perfect limestone water, and special natural aging to acquire its exceptional flavor and character. Each hand-crafted bottle of Ezra B, topped with a wax sealed cork finish, perfectly personifies its character and sophistication, and should be enjoyed extra slowly to appreciate its unique flavor, aroma and full body.
TASTE: A MEDIUM TO FULL BODY WITH A RICH SWEETNESS OF VANILLA, HONEY, AND A HINT OF CHOCOLATE. FINISH: TOASTY, LONG FINISH
What Gary Says: Nose: Deep, rich, thick vanilla and brown sugar, sandalwood & toffee (a tad hot). Palate: Thin mouthfeel, but nice balance of oak and chocolate, with caramel & honey. Finish: Moderate in length and drying. Comments: Very nice pour – although as a single barrel, be prepared for some variation. In full disclosure, I had bought a bottle of this years ago that left me less impressed than this sample (although our tastes evolve – so that could be completely on me). The nose had me braced for a thick and viscous pour, and while it felt thin to me – it was not short on flavor. Really nice balance – some 12 yr bourbons are too woody for me, and this wasn’t even close (my wheelhouse is typically 8-12 yrs old). It isn’t a secret that Luxco sources the whiskey that goes into this label from Heaven Hill, and it absolutely reminds me of their Heritage Center in Bardstown – which isn’t a bad thing in the least (heck – one of my favorite places to visit!) If you are a fan of other Heaven Hill bourbons, I would absolutely give this a shot! Rating: Stands Out/Must Try
What Richard Says: Nose: Rich and captivating. Burnt sugar, vanilla beans, and soft deep woody notes. Palate: Caramel, vanilla cream, woody, and peppery spicy. Finish: It finishes smooth but heavy on the oak. Comments: This is sourced whiskey but don’t let the recent cloud around that term dissuade you. It’s the result of a long standing arrangement with Heaven Hill for this Luxco brand. This is a nice, satisfying whiskey that is definitely a bourbon drinker’s bourbon. For those lamenting the recent loss of 12 year old Elijah Craig, may I recommend this as a potential replacement. Rating: Stands Out
Old Forester Signature Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky 50% ABV $25 Website What the Distillery Says: A favorite of bartenders, Signature 100 Proof honors the legacy of founder George Garvin Brown, who put his signature on every bottle. And this bourbon is definitely one he would be proud to have his name on today.
TASTING NOTES NOSE Strong, sweet coffee laced with chocolate, creamy vanilla and rich, warmed oak. TASTE Ripe apple and other sweet fruit; complex oak. FINISH Sweet and light, with hints of oak and apple that linger a bit.
What Gary Says: Nose: Crisp/sharp rye bite, oaky, vanilla with a corn sweetness under the kick (a tad hot). Palate: Better balance than the nose, vanilla, tapioca, pepper spice (but not as sharp). Finish: Moderate with the spice kicking up at the end. Comments: For the money, this is an incredibly reliable high-rye bourbon. The nose is brash and unapologetic with intense flavor. For me, this isn’t a “sit and study” pour. It is the foundation of many of my favorite mingles, and does well with cocktails as well. Rating: Stands Out
What Richard Says: Nose: Dry and woody by itself. If you agitate it a fair bit then you get more caramel apples and candy corn. It’s like old fashioned Halloween. As it mellows in the glass more of a classic caramel and vanilla nose develops. Palate: Surprisingly sweet with a very peach cobbler a la mode and butterscotch thing going on. It drinks hot and a little woody but takes water pretty well so use as necessary. Finish: Peppery with a lingering bit of wood and corn. It’s surprisingly not dry. Comments: I recently heard someone use the term “card game whiskey” and I really like that. This is definitely in that category. You’re not going to sit there and lament over it for hours but it is solid, tasty, and serviceable in multiple situations. My first experience with Old Forester Signature was back many years ago shortly after I first started drinking whiskey. I was going on a camping trip with college buddies and I wanted to venture out beyond the Jack Daniels I had been drinking at that point so I grabbed one of these. That was a hilarious trip and it was certainly lubricated with Old Forester. As a step up from Jack in terms of flavor it was kind of a revelation. I’ve never looked back. While I don’t frequently buy this anymore it is still a memorable whiskey for me and holds a special sentimental place in my memories. Rating: Stands Out
Yellow Rose Outlaw Bourbon Whiskey 46% ABV $60 Website What the Distillery Says: Yellow Rose Outlaw Bourbon breaks all traditional bourbon laws just like the Outlaws of the old west. Made from 100% corn our recipe produces a sweet flavor we know you will enjoy. Aged in small American oak barrels, Outlaw Bourbon is a full flavored drink with warm caramel and vanilla overtones. Not many distillers still use a traditional pot still, but we believe this helps us produce a true small batch whiskey.
COLOR: Old gold, copper. NOSE: Intense aroma, rich caramel and vanilla with a hint of floral. PALATE: Slightly sweet and extremely rich. FINISH: Long, maintaining caramel and vanilla. Like a good dessert! COMMENTS: Unique bourbon providing a great experience for both enthusiast and first timers.
What Gary Says: Nose: Freshly baked cornbread or corn muffins. Palate: Corny sweet, young with oak. Finish: Short, with a bit of pepper as it fades. Comments: If asked to identify this in a blind taste test, I’d have picked this out as corn whiskey rather than bourbon – which isn’t too surprising as the mashbill is 100% corn. The first comparable whiskey that came to mind was mellow corn (although that is a bottled-in-bond, so higher proof and at least 4 years old). I would suspect that this is probably younger than 4 yrs old by the taste, but that is pure speculation. The smaller barrels add more wood influence, for my taste – prematurely, as it isn’t as integrated as a whiskey aged in a 53 gallon cask. I don’t think they were shooting for an integrated/thinking type of whiskey, so a bit of oak brashness from a small cask is probably delivering what they’re looking for here. I’m a fan of corn whiskey – and if you are too, this might be worth trying. If you’re looking for bourbon and are not a fan of corn whiskey, this might leave you disappointed. And the price point makes it tough to take out for a test drive. Rating: Average
What Richard Says: Nose: Corn liquor coming off the still mixed with smoked meats. It’s very unbourbon like but kind of sexy. Palate: A bit of a fiery red head this one is. Corn whiskey sweet with a kick of oak and more of that oddly delightful BBQ smoked flavor. Finish: A little hot but less than you would expect for the age. Comments: Interesting is the word that comes to mind. When I drink this I don’t think bourbon at all. I almost worry that they do themselves a disservice calling it bourbon instead of corn whiskey. I think bourbon drinkers would not necessarily find what they are looking for in a bottle of this. However, that smokey note that sits through the nose and palate I find very compelling. Not something I would run out and buy for $60 a bottle but if you have broader whiskey interests it might be something to try at a bar. If it wasn’t so damn expensive (and yes I understand the harsh economics of starting a new distillery) this would be great for giving your BBQ sauce recipe a kick in the ass! Rating: Average
We would like to thank Yellow Rose Distilling for sending over a bottle for review.
