Leopold Bros Three Chamber Rye 9 Year is a rye whiskey from Denver's Leopold Bros, distilled on a re-engineered pre-Prohibition style three-chamber still from a mash of 80% heritage Abruzzi rye and 20% floor-malted barley, and aged nine years.
The three-chamber still was once common in American distilling but vanished after Prohibition. Leopold Bros rebuilt one from old distilling manuscripts, creating a spirit with a heavy body and oily texture unlike any modern column-distilled rye. Abruzzi rye, an heirloom grain, adds its own depth, and the whiskey entered the barrel at about 112 proof before nine years of maturation.
The result is heavy-bodied and oily, with complex stone fruit notes of peach, plum and apricot, rich chocolate and maple syrup, and delicate floral elements of lavender and chamomile. Sweet grain, brown sugar and baking spice lead on the nose, the palate is rich and viscous with cocoa nibs and vanilla, and the finish is long, with oak and florals.
The bottle's elegant label with its circular nine-year badge makes it a prized bottle for rye enthusiasts and a superb gift for anyone curious about pre-Prohibition whiskey.
Taste it neat, then add a few drops of water to open the fruit and florals.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Sweet grain, brown sugar, orchard fruit and baking spice.
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Palate: Viscous, with stone fruit, cocoa, vanilla and maple.
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Finish: Long, with oak, lavender and chamomile.
Specifications
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Producer: Leopold Bros
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Style: Rye Whiskey, three-chamber still
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Age: 9 years
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Proof / ABV: 112 proof (56% ABV)
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Cask / Finish: Mash 80% Abruzzi rye, 20% floor-malted barley
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Region: Denver, Colorado, United States
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Sip it neat or with a splash of water; it also makes an exceptional Manhattan. It pairs with dark chocolate, stone fruit desserts or a medium cigar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a three-chamber still?
A pre-Prohibition style of still, rebuilt by Leopold Bros from old manuscripts, that gives a heavy, oily spirit.
What grain is used?
80% heritage Abruzzi rye and 20% floor-malted barley.
What proof is it?
This bottle is listed at 56% ABV.
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