What is American blended whiskey?

Answered by Ricardo McCardle

American blended whiskey is a type of whiskey that is made by blending together different types of whiskey, along with other ingredients such as colorings, flavorings, and neutral grain spirits. The blending process allows for the creation of a unique and consistent flavor profile that appeals to a wide range of palates.

One important characteristic of American blended whiskey is that it must contain at least 20% whiskey. This means that a majority of the blend can consist of other ingredients, which can be a combination of colorings, flavorings, and neutral grain spirits. These additional ingredients can be used to enhance the flavor, aroma, and appearance of the whiskey, and to create a consistent product from batch to batch.

However, it is worth noting that higher quality brands of American blended whiskey do not add neutral spirits or colorings to their blends. Instead, they focus on using 100% whiskey in their blends, which can result in a higher quality and more authentic flavor. These brands often take pride in their craftsmanship and the use of traditional distilling methods to create their blends.

The use of blending in American whiskey production is not unique to blended whiskey. In fact, many American whiskeys, including bourbon and rye, are often blended to achieve a desired flavor profile. Blending allows distillers to combine different types of whiskeys, each with its own unique characteristics, to create a well-rounded and complex final product.

Blending also allows for consistency in flavor and quality, as it enables distillers to maintain a consistent taste profile year after year. This is particularly important for large-scale producers who aim to create a reliable and recognizable brand. By blending different batches of whiskey, distillers can ensure that each bottle tastes the same, regardless of when and where it was produced.

It is important to note that American blended whiskey is different from other types of whiskey, such as single malt or single barrel whiskey. Single malt whiskey, for example, is made from malted barley and produced at a single distillery. Single barrel whiskey, on the other hand, is bottled from a single barrel, resulting in a unique and limited-edition product.

American blended whiskey is a type of whiskey that is made by blending together different types of whiskey, along with other ingredients such as colorings, flavorings, and neutral grain spirits. While the use of additional ingredients can vary, higher quality brands of American blended whiskey focus on using 100% whiskey in their blends to create a more authentic and flavorful product. Blending allows distillers to create consistent and well-rounded flavor profiles, making American blended whiskey a popular choice among whiskey enthusiasts.