Green Code Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review

 

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.