Suntory AO World Whisky

The Beam-Suntory company has become so vast that it holds sway over whisk(e)y production globally. This worldwide blend, crafted from whiskies originating from the top five producing nations: Scotland, Ireland, the USA, Japan, and Canada, serves as evidence of this. With a little bit of everything incorporated, I was uncertain of the outcome, but I discovered a desirable element: peat. "AO" signifies blue in Japanese, and the name is fitting for this whisky, as water is the most universal substance on Earth, and the term "whisky" itself derives from the Gaelic Uisge-Beatha, meaning "water of life." It is presented at 43% ABV with a burnished gold hue. The nose presents as a slightly peaty character, with notes of prunes, iodine, and the sea, alongside peat and sawdust, sea foam, and hazelnut. It's delightful. Upon the initial taste, the aroma transformed into a smoky, salty chocolate with hints of maize. The palate is remarkably sweet, offering a vanilla explosion, intensely creamy and floral, with maize and vanilla contributed by the grain whiskies. A distinct bourbon profile is evident here, featuring vanilla cream and fondant. The aftertaste carries a mild peatiness, with notes of sawdust, tobacco, and barbecue, and is quite ashy. Iodine, pepper, and salt are present, along with metallic undertones reminiscent of iron, evoking a profile similar to Bowmore (which is owned by Suntory). In summary, this dram was an unexpected pleasure. I did not anticipate it being this good and enjoyable, considering the potential for dissonance among the whisky profiles from different countries when sampled individually. It is a commendable offering, earning a score of 84 out of 100.

This is a unique offering from Japan, combining whiskies from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, America (JB distillery), and Japan. Nose: Honey, vanilla, a light hint of citrusy orange zest, crisp orchard fruits, sweet malt, and toasted oak with the faintest wisp of char and peat smoke. Palate: A very nice mouthfeel, rich malt with a bit of honey and vanilla from the American and Canadian whiskies, a flash of fruitiness from the Irish and Scotch whiskies appears briefly and quickly shifts to baking spices, cinnamon, and a pleasant touch of peppery barrel notes. The Japanese whiskey acts as the foundational base, remaining somewhat neutral but providing a slight herbal note at the end of the palate and the start of the finish. The finish itself is medium in length with a smoky, woody character. It's just oily enough to leave a slight coating. Overall, this is an enjoyable one to sample and certainly a distinctive fusion of whiskies from across the globe.

Nose - Quite light, grainy sweet, diluted honey Palate - Gentle clean peat, generic grain sweetness, hint of apples/pears, mild gingery tingle Finish - Light smoke, generic grain sweetness, apple Score - 71/100 Final Thoughts - This isn't bad, but it isn't good either. It feels like a very lightly peated version of Toki, created with a 'fun' backstory. It seems designed for a standard highball, to be enjoyed while eating a lot of grilled food. It's remarkably light in nearly every aspect and generally quite forgettable. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - No Would I buy a bottle? - No NOTE - Price is not considered in any reviews.

Nose: Floral, oaky sweetness. A very subtle earthy smoke. Buttery, Irish-like barrel tannin. Hints of apple cider vinegar (but less acidic funk), overall very light with a slight baking spice. Palate: I detect many notes typical of Irish whiskey. Similar light, buttery Christmas cookie and baking spice flavors. The medium-dark floral bitterness is also present. There's some oaky barrel sweetness, but it's faint to me. It's delicate, light, and pleasant. Finish: Slightly dry and medium in length (it lingers longer than expected). I'm left with barrel astringency and floral bitterness. A light vanilla and floral sweetness are present. It finishes with a flavor reminiscent of bitter melon.

Light gold color. The aroma is softly smoked, with a good amount of oak and a chocolate/cherry essence. The flavor is easy-drinking, balanced, and features more of that chocolate/cherry on the palate. The flavors reach all areas of the mouth, with high tannic notes, low malt, subtle smoke, and a touch of malty sweetness. There's even a hint of brine. The finish is long, with a spicy tinge at the end. A very interesting blend, and one that truly represents an amalgamation of whiskey culture, rather than a typical Japanese style. This is a fine sipping whiskey that would also be excellent in a Manhattan, Old Fashioned, or even a Sazerac.

No bottling or batch code visible. Light copper in color, mild oak spice and caramel apple aroma with some doughy grain peeking through. Quite a bit happening on the palate: some smokiness upfront, baking spice, young oily malt, fruity apple, and a grassy/herbal bitterness that persists. Fairly light-bodied; a few drops of water enhance the fruit and the young malt, but it's not particularly helpful. An interesting but ultimately gimmick concept, blending 5 different whiskies together for one bottling. It's not bad, but it doesn't quite come together, and the malt isn't to my liking.