Top-Flight Tasting: The World of Blends

Often Misunderstood, Today’s Blends Excite

      Whatever you’ve heard about blends, the old stereotypes are a thing of the past. Today’s blends are some of the most exciting whiskies on the market. The problem is, many consumers don’t quite understand what modern blends are. If, at one time, distilleries might have used blends to unload some unpalatable grain spirit, today, you don’t need to worry about that issue.

     Instead, today’s whisky blends are exciting combinations of multiple distilleries, multiple grains, multiple distillation methods, and even multiple cultures. In tasting through these five luxury blends, you’ll notice a cavalcade of aromas, flavors, and complexities. You’ll find how blends are highly approachable pours, perfect for savoring or turning into Highballs or mixed drinks.

Legent®  Bourbon
A bourbon that redefines the category, this is Kentucky straight bourbon as blended in the Japanese whisky style. Intensely layered due to the use of sherry and red wine finishing casks, flavors include tart cherries, dried fruit, and smoky char.

Canadian Club® Classic 12 Year Old
A Canadian blend that offers delicate spiciness and creamy vanilla notes, it’s balanced with rich wood and luxurious honey. It has a long and dry finish, with enduring butterscotch.

Kilbeggan® Traditional Irish Whiskey
Double distilled in the traditional Irish whiskey style, this approachable pour offers a soft almond nougat flavor with notes of caramel, peach, and vanilla, finishing with a persistent dryness and woody oak tones.

Hibiki Japanese Harmony®
This harmonious blend of multiple malt and grain whiskies is delicate and luminous—notes of green apple, grapefruit, honey, peppermint,  and thyme, among others.

Suntory Japanese Whisky Toki® 
A blend—featuring whiskies from Hakushu, Yamazaki, and Chita Distilleries—inherently designed
for Highballs, this clear gold whisky is herbal and fruity, with subtle notes of peppermint, green apple, white pepper, and ginger.

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