Leopold Bros 25th Anniversary Foeder Series Blend of Straight Rye Whiskeys

Two ryes spent time together in an 18-foot vat that used to hold beer.

A foeder (say FOOD-er) is a giant oak vat. Breweries use them to age beer, and in 2024 Leopold Bros got hold of an 18-foot French oak one that came from a brewery. They don't age whiskey in it from scratch. They use it the way some Scotch distillers use a marrying tun: pour finished whiskeys in together and let them settle into one.

For their 25th anniversary, they filled it with roughly 85% of their 5-year Maryland Style rye and 15% of their 8-year Three Chamber rye, then bottled it at full proof with no water added at any point. The Maryland rye is the softer, fruitier one. The Three Chamber rye comes off a still design that vanished after Prohibition and brings weight and a floral note. Leopold says the blend pays homage to the blending culture in American whiskey before Prohibition.

It came out on October 5, 2024, at the distillery's 25th anniversary party. There's no age statement on the label; the youngest whiskey in it is five years old.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: stone fruit from the Maryland rye up front, then lavender, baking spice and cocoa from the Three Chamber
• Palate: sweeter and heavier than either rye on its own, with baking spice and stone fruit all the way through
• Finish: layered and silky, and it takes its time

Bottle Specifications

• Category: A blend of straight rye whiskeys
• Age: No age statement (5-year and 8-year components)
• Blend: ~85% 5-year Maryland Style rye, ~15% 8-year Three Chamber rye
• Stills: Pot still (Maryland rye), three-chamber still (Three Chamber rye)
• Vessel: Married in an 18-foot used French oak foeder
• Proof / ABV: Full proof, no water added (ABV is hand-written on each bottle)
• Released: October 5, 2024
• Producer: Leopold Bros, Denver, Colorado
• Bottle size: 750ml

FAQ

Is this aged in a beer barrel?
Not exactly. The two ryes were fully aged in new American oak first. The foeder is where they were blended and rested together before bottling.

What's the difference between the two ryes in it?
The Maryland Style rye is 65% rye, pot distilled, and made with a yeast picked for fruit over spice. The Three Chamber rye is 80% Abruzzi rye from a three-chamber still, and it's oilier and more floral.