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