Suntory's Legent Yamazaki Cask Finish Blend Is a World Class East-Meets-West Bourbon
Japanese whisky has been gradually ascending, finding its way into American drinking culture. Back in 2019, Legent—the collaborative bourbon distilled by Fred Noe, seventh-generation master distiller of Jim Beam, and blended by Shinji Fukuyo, fifth-ever chief blender of Suntory—was the first Kentucky straight bourbon to be produced with Japanese expertise. Now, the brand is cranking things up a notch with the launch of its limited-edition Legent Yamazaki Cask Finish Blend.
"Partnering with Fred Noe on Legent Bourbon was an honor and an exciting opportunity to create something special that represents East meets West," says Shinji Fukuyo. "Taking it one step further to create this limited-edition release that's finished by the climate of Yamazaki Distillery, creating its unique matured aroma, and reimagined with our blending techniques has been an exciting endeavor. The result is a first-of-its-kind whiskey with new layers of rounded and complex flavors."
Related: Japanese Whisky: 5 Things You Need to Know
Legent Yamazaki Cask Finish Blend starts as a Kentucky straight bourbon crafted from American grain. It's aged for eight years in the Bluegrass State before traveling to the Yamazaki distillery—Japan’s first and oldest malt distillery—outside Kyoto, where it's further matured in French oak wine casks and Spanish oak sherry casks.
The new expression also features bourbon aged in Spanish oak sherry casks previously used to mature House of Suntory's Yamazaki Single Malt Japanese Whisky. (Yamazaki is Suntory's flagship single malt and comes in 12-, 18-, 25- and even a 55-year-old version.) Finally, the uniquely finished selections are blended with more 8-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon to create the final offering.
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This year, Suntory whisky celebrates its 100th anniversary. Earlier in the year, the brand honored the occasion by releasing a new ad with Keanu Reeves that looks back over its past several decades. Meanwhile, the release of Legent Yamazaki Cask Finish Blend represents a look toward the next 100 years of monozukuri (Japanese craftsmanship), innovation, and exceptional blending techniques from the founding house of Japanese whisky.
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"Legent represents the future of whiskey innovation from The House of Suntory," notes House of Suntory managing director Jon Potter. "For generations, our master blenders have crafted world-class spirits through exceptional blending techniques. As we look to the next 100 years, Legent Yamazaki Cask Finish Blend exemplifies the global influence of Japanese craftsmanship and The House of Suntory's consistent pursuit of mastery."
Bottled at 114 proof (57 percent alcohol by volume), Legent Yamazaki Cask Finish Blend will be available for a limited time only online and at select locations in the U.S., Canada, Germany, and Global Travel Retail.
[$225; totalwine.com]
