Kessler is an American Blended Whiskey which means it has at least 20% of some kind of straight whiskey blended with neutral grain spirits. Being an ABW it also mens and can also include additional colors and flavors. Kessler Whiskey got it’s start in Colorado back in 1888 by Julius Kessler. Kessler was an old west business man who originally sold his whiskey in the time honored tradition of the Fuller Brush Man. That is to say he did it by going from saloon door to saloon door to hock his alcoholic wares. He and his business were successful and continued to grow until he gave it all up in 1921. Some call it a retirement, but I think prohibition settling in might have had more than a little something to do with it.
In 1935 (2 years after prohibition ended) the Kessler Whiskey brand was bought by The Seagram Company and through it’s later dissolution the Kessler brand ended up being owned by what is now Beam Suntory and is currently the #2 American Blended Whiskey in the world behind Seagram’s 7. That’s quite the adventure for a brand that start out being sold door to door at Saloons in a small town in Colorado.
Kessler American Blended Whiskey Review
ABV: 40%
Age: NAS
Price: $12
Distiller: Jim Beam
EYE
Dark caramel
NOSE
Light nose without much going on. There is a watery caramel, some grainy corn, a weak spice and an alcohol kick that reminds me of smell of Smirnoff vodka.
PALATE
Alcohol driven with a light nutty character comes first followed by some light notes of watery caramel, corn, a weak spice and an even weaker vanilla.
FINISH
Alcohol, watery caramel and a light nuttiness fade out on a medium pace.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Alcohol heavy and off balance with a thin weak body and watery texture.
OVERALL
It isn’t very good. It smells like a cheap bourbon that’s been watered down and mixed with vodka and it tastes much the same. It’s easy to see why this is so popular as a cocktail mixer. It’s light, doesn’t add any major amount of flavor or aroma to whatever you’re making; just fades into the background. As both a mixer and as a whiskey in general it’s much better than Seagram’s 7 so, while that’s not saying much, at least it’s got that going for it.
SCORE: 75/100
