At first look, this might seem like a Japanese whisky. In a way it’s, however to name this whisky a Japanese whisky can be just a little deceptive because it’s truly composed of a mix of grain and malt whiskies from 5 totally different nations world wide – particularly Eire, Scotland, America, Canada, and Japan. The grasp blender, nonetheless, hails from Suntory in Japan, and so it’s their product, and the results of their mixing talents and their artistic imaginative and prescient.
Until very just lately, Japan’s rules allowed whisky producers so as to add whisky from different nations into what might be known as “Blended Japanese Whisky”. Whereas this apply wasn’t saved a secret, it was additionally not all the time apparent to customers who might simply assume that, with out studying some superb print on the packaging, the whisky they had been shopping for was totally Japanese-made.
Rules in Japan have modified, nonetheless, and (along with a couple of different specs concerning minimal ABV, grains used, and a minimal age) to ensure that a whisky to be labelled a Japanese whisky it now must be fermented, distilled and aged at a distillery in Japan, in addition to bottled in Japan. Spirits that don’t meet all the brand new necessities can nonetheless be labelled whisky, simply not “Japanese” whisky. These guidelines got here into impact on April 1 2021, however whisky producers had till March 31 2024 to ensure their labels had been compliant.
For whiskies that embody international spirit, many whisky-makers have began labelling them extra transparently. You’ll now be capable to learn that whiskies are “Japanese-inspired”, or that they’re a “whisky with Japanese affect”, as an alternative of merely a “Japanese blended whisky”. As Ao contains whisky from different nations, it states very clearly on each the field and the bottle that it’s a “Suntory World Whisky”. They’ve additionally tried to be as clear as attainable about the place the whisky within the bottle truly comes from, stating that this can be a “Japanese crafted mix of Irish, Scotch, American, Canadian and Japanese whiskies,” and that the whiskies are all sourced from Beam-Suntory owned distilleries in these 5 nations. I used to be left questioning, nonetheless, whether or not the choice to order the checklist of nations as they did was, very similar to lists of components on different merchandise, a sign of which whisky within the mix is essentially the most plentiful (the place the ingredient listed first is often the one current within the largest amount, whereas the ingredient on the finish of the checklist is current within the smallest amount).
In accordance with Suntory’s web site, the actual distilleries the place their malt and grain whiskies are sourced from are: Cooley distillery in Eire; Ardmore distillery (which is understood to provide peaty whisky) and Glen Garioch distillery in Scotland; Jim Beam distillery in America; Alberta distillery in Canada; and Yamazaki distillery and Hakushu distillery in Japan.
The title Ao means the color blue, and is so named for the color of the ocean that unites the continents of those 5 whisky-producing nations. The bottle itself has 5 sides, which can be meant to reference these 5 whisky-producing nations – it’s a considerate design contact, which I actually fairly like.
Some whisky drinkers might discover they really feel just a little cautious of a whisky that’s the results of mixing collectively a variety of whiskies from totally different nations throughout to the world. For many who are, it is likely to be price contemplating once more the compelling thought behind making blended whisky or blended malts which various whisky blenders (or whisky-makers) have executed their finest to champion. The concept is solely that one is much less restricted and constrained in the case of making whisky if you’re not restricted to creating use of the whisky that’s produced at only one distillery. There’s the potential, not less than, to create one thing actually nice by mixing collectively what two (or extra) magnificent distilleries have to supply. With a broader vary of whisky to mess around with one has a wider array of fascinating aromas and flavours at one’s disposal in the case of creating one’s whisky.
You might argue that with Ao, Suntory has taken that very same principal and simply pushed it just a little additional. This can be a whisky that’s moreover not constrained by geography. And why not, if it seems that mixing some Japanese whisky with whisky from Canada and Eire (for instance) leads to one thing actually fascinating and scrumptious?
Ao bears no age assertion, is bottled at 43% ABV, and obtainable in my space for round $110 (which is simply marginally costlier than a bottle of Glen Scotia’s Victoriana). It’s attainable that the pretty steep worth might mirror extra prices of sourcing and mixing whiskies from a number of nations when in comparison with single-origin whiskies, however I’m not sure about this.
This specific whisky is meant to be just a little totally different to a few of Suntory’s different blended whiskies, which are sometimes considered prizing concord above all else. In accordance with Suntory, Ao can be meant to showcase, in an evolving method, the distinctive qualities of the kind of whisky that’s produced from every one of many 5 supply nations. This whisky must be fascinating, then – though they do additionally add, “relying on when and the way you drink it”. Having it neat, versus having it function in a cocktail, will yield very totally different tasting experiences, and so it’s exhausting to know precisely what one ought to make of this declare upfront.
Ao – Overview
Color: Heat gold.
On the nostril: An preliminary wave of candy spiciness, like candied ginger. Fairly contemporary and floral. The faintest trace of pine resin, with notes of pineapple, ripe inexperienced apples and pears. Light vanilla dominates within the background, alongside a distinctively earthy aroma.
Within the mouth: Candy honey and vanilla. Darkish raisins and prunes. There’s a really wealthy and warming woody notice. Maybe some marzipan intermingling with a touch of cinnamon and white pepper. Despite being fairly sturdy, it additionally manages to have a easy and rounded really feel to it. A barely spicy heat lingers for a while.
Simply the tiniest drop of water remodeled the feel of the whisky into one thing gentle and buttery, and accentuated the peppery heat of the end.
Conclusion:
This can be a very gratifying whisky. It has a sure delicacy to it, which feels very very similar to an indicator of Japanese whisky – however there’s additionally a wealthy boldness to it, notably on the palate, which jogs my memory extra of a strong Scotch. I additionally discovered that the whisky appeared richer each time I revisited it.
As there’s a truthful quantity occurring by way of a variety of aromas and flavours, this whisky definitely lends itself to sluggish sipping and contemplation. I stay just a little undecided, nonetheless, about whether or not or not it efficiently delivers on its promise of showcasing the sheer breadth of evolving flavours from world wide… though shortcomings on this regard might belong to myself fairly than the whisky.
Notably, there’s alleged to be a mild trace of smoke on this whisky – however any smoky notes should be extremely refined, as I’ve discovered myself unable to detect any traces of smoke. It’s attainable, maybe, that for me any very light smoky notes are merely eclipsed by different flavours or aromas.
All in all, it’s a superb whisky, and one which I might be joyful to sip on at any time when I’m supplied some. There’s additionally one thing just a little interesting about tasting what is unquestionably a reasonably distinctive whisky, on condition that it’s one among a only a few blends that’s comprised of whiskies from a number of nations.
