Moments
exist when you open a box and ask yourself, What in the holy Hell is this?
Today
was one such moment. You see, FedEx delivered a huge box that weighed almost
nothing. After signing for it, I opened it to find a ton of packing peanuts and
bubble wrap. When I was able to fish out the bottle, it was wildly light. My
heart sank – I assumed that the bottle broke or leaked in shipment. Then, it
struck me: I’ve had bottles broken before, and the box always smells of
alcohol. There was no odor at all. So, I cut open the bubble wrap that held the
bottle, and Viola! I noticed the bottle was made of paper!
What in the holy Hell is this? The bottle is so light; it must be just a fancy holder for a 50mL inside, right?
Yeah…
no. This paper bottle held a full 750mL of whiskey called Green Code Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Green Code is a new-to-market Bourbon produced by World Whiskey Society, Co. LLC, which was established in 2020 and bills itself as “creating
the world’s most interesting whiskeys.”
I
weighed the bottle; it was only one pound and eleven ounces. By contrast, a
full 750mL of a “standard” glass bottle weighed just over three pounds! The
World Whiskey Society suggests that it weighs five times less and has an 84%
lower carbon footprint than a standard glass bottle. It is made from 100%
recycled paperboard, and it has a liner of an unknown material.
"We're constantly seeking new ways to experiment, from our liquid to our bottles, and we are excited to introduce one-of-a-kind packaging that will have a positive impact on the whiskey community and beyond. This release reflects our commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and sustainability, proving that great whiskey can be both rich in flavor and gentle on the planet." – Alex Kogan, CEO of World Whiskey Society
There’s
not a lot of information beyond what’s on the label; the message is more about
sustainability (which is a good thing). One thing I noticed was instructions on
how to recycle this bottle.
Incidentally,
the bottle seemed to feel sturdier the more I played with it – when I grabbed
it the first couple of times, I was concerned I would crush it. After giving it
a few gentle squeezes, it will likely withstand normal handling.
The
World Whiskey Society provided me with a sample of Green Code in exchange for
my no-strings-attached, honest review. So, let’s #DrinkCurious and taste what
this Bourbon has to offer, shall we?
- Whiskey Type: Bourbon
- Distiller: Undisclosed Kentucky distillery
- Age: NAS (At least four years)
- Mashbill: Undisclosed (at least 51% corn)
- Cooperage: New, charred oak barrels
- Alcohol Content: 48% ABV (96°)
- Price per 750mL: $49.99
Appearance: I used
a Glencairn glass to explore Green Code Kentucky Straight Bourbon neat. Inside,
the liquid was brassy. A thicker rim jettisoned widely-spaced droplets that eventually
fell back into the pool.
Nose: I brought
the glass under my nostrils and sniffed. What I found included apples, pears,
honey, oak, and orange zest. When I drew the aroma into my mouth, it was all
thick honey.
Palate: Green
Code’s texture was thick and creamy. The first sip had a slightly industrial quality
– this is why I always suggest not judging on that. Once the palate shock
subsided, I approached the Bourbon again.
On the second sip, that
off-putting note was gone. I tasted Werther’s Originals and orange zest on the
front. The middle featured plums, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Flavors of clove, oak, and
dry leather were on the back of my palate.
Finish: The mild
cinnamon from the middle awoke suddenly on the finish. It was accompanied by
clove, barrel char, leather, and ripe plums.
Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Green
Code Kentucky Straight Bourbon has a huge hurdle to overcome. Will the average
Bourbon drinker accept a paper bottle? Some find screwtop closures offensive and
PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) bottles even more so. There is a romanticism associated
with glass bottles (and corks – I wrote about this several years ago, and the
feedback was overwhelmingly against screwtops even though they offer a superior
seal).
All of that means their
target drinker is likely the niche consumer who prioritizes environmentalism
above all else. How big is that market? I have no idea.
As far as the Bourbon
itself, Green Code was neither impressive nor remarkable, which highlights the notion
that the aforementioned niche Bourbon drinker will find this attractive. Your
average Bourbon fan will find this a curiosity, yet after tasting it, they wouldn’t
be inclined to spend the $50.00 to take it home. As such, it earns my Bar
rating.
Lastly, there was something
familiar about Green Code Kentucky Straight Bourbon, and I thought long and
hard about who might be responsible for its distillation. Nothing came to mind.
Cheers!
My Simple, Easy-to-Understand
Rating System
- Bottle = Buy It
- Bar = Try It
- Bust = Leave It
Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit
but begs you to do so responsibly.
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