and blended there presents Kentucky Owl Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Takumi Edition bottled at 100 proof — a $150 expression that merits close attention.
Nose
Tawny color, with a satiny consistency and relatively solid legs on the side of the glass. than an American one. So, it’s Kentucky bourbon blended in Japan to appeal to drinkers of Japanese whiskies. But here’s the thing: Most Japanese whiskies are made from barley, with a family resemblance to Scotch rather than bourbon. Bourbon, of course, is corn whiskey aged in new American oak. The two start from fundamentally different places. The Takumi Edition marks the second time in a year that Rhea has used his deep industry connections to identify an overseas partner with whom to collaborate on a limited release. In March, Kentucky Owl released the St. Patrick’s Edition in conjunction with Louise McGuane from J.J. Corry Irish Whiskey. My Whiskeyful colleague Suzanne Bayard gave the St. Patrick’s Edition 4 stars out of 5, so I was curious to see if Rhea and Kentucky Owl could repeat their success with the Takumi Edition. Kentucky Owl Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Takumi Edition (image via Debbie Nelson/Whiskeyful) Tasting notes: Kentucky Owl Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Takumi Edition Vital stats: Four-, five-, six- and 13-year-old Kentucky bourbon shipped to Japan’s Nagahama Distillery and blended there; Kentucky Owl says the mashbills include corn, rye or wheat, and malted barley, but didn’t provide proportions; 100 proof/50% alcohol by volume; $150 for a 750 ml bottle. Appearance: Tawny color, with a satiny consistency and relatively solid legs on the side of the glass. Nose: Smooth vanilla with a hint of rye bread. The bourbon sweetness is there, but it’s understated. Palate: The rye-bread spice I detected in the nose was largely gone by the time I took a drink. This is a relaxed and comfortable bourbon, in the sense that no overwhelming tastes push their way to the front. It settled at the back of my palate, with molasses, brown sugar, and baked pears drizzled with caramel. The finish is long and luxurious. I don’t know if it comes from the inclusion of 13-year-old bourbon or something in the production or blending process, but a chewy mouthfeel was noticeable. The satiny pour I observed earlier became a satiny feel in the mouth.
Palate
Smooth vanilla with a hint of rye bread. The bourbon sweetness is there, but it’s understated. A friend of mine is a Japanese whisky expert who owns a collection of whiskies from the island. He and I shared the Kentucky Owl bottle recently, asking ourselves whether shipping Kentucky bourbon to Japan for blending was more than a gimmick. Would we actually be able to detect a hint of the Japanese sensibility? It’s hard to say in the final analysis, but we both liked the Takumi Edition and decided it does have an understated sensibility that would be at home in Japan. Japanese whiskies have a tendency to be crisp, clean, and light, while bourbon is often more in-your-face with sweet and strong flavors.rnrnWe opted to give Nagahama’s Yahisa Yusuke credit for helping shape a whiskey that reflects the tendency toward crisp, clean, and light. And Kentucky Owl’s John Rhea credit for sending him high-quality bourbon in the first place.
Finish
Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by Whiskeyful or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.
Verdict
Kentucky Owl Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Takumi Edition delivers a thoroughly accomplished whiskey that justifies its $150 price point. It is well-crafted, balanced, and worthy of a place in any considered collection.
