Meet The Game-Changing Japanese-Kentucky Whiskey

Legent Bourbon $55

This may be the most international whisky ever made. For four years it starts as more or less classic bourbon, albeit one overseen by the legendary Jim Noe of Jim Beam. But then things get . . . interesting. Some of that bourbon gets put into California red wine casks for another year€”definitely out of the ordinary. And some goes into sherry casks for another two years€”which is not unexpected if your a Highland whisky from Scotland, bonkers if you’re bourbon. Then, they call in Suntory chief blender Shinji Fukuyo, who takes the three elements and works his blending magic. The result is a highfalutin€™ bourbon with an unexpected grapey and floral nose that gives way to a more classic butterscotch-y richness on the palate and closes with some jumping spicy notes. 

That’s a lot of things going on for the $55.