Kessler American Blended Whiskey Vintage Bottle US 175 cl 40%

In the 1870s, a young Julius Kessler travelled from saloon to saloon in the mining town of Leadville, Colorado, selling his own whiskey out of his own hands. He sold more than anyone else of his time, and the name stayed on the bottle for well over a century afterwards.

The Expert's Description

Kessler American Blended Whiskey is an American Blended Whiskey built on neutral grain spirit and matured straight whiskies, bottled at 40%.

The brand was founded in 1888 and quickly earned a reputation as an easy-drinking, gentle whiskey under the slogan "Smooth as Silk" – Kessler's own description of his whiskey, and one the brand has carried on the label since the end of Prohibition. In 1935 Kessler became part of Seagram, and this particular 1.75-litre bottle carries the marks of that era: the label shows Julius Kessler's portrait and facsimile signature alongside a horse-drawn stagecoach in front of a small mountain town, while the cap still bears an old paper excise strip marked "Export". The bottle was filled across three different Seagram plants – Lawrenceburg in Indiana, Dundalk in Maryland and San Francisco in California – the way large American producers of the era spread production across several sites.

The blend itself is a classic American blended whiskey: mostly neutral grain spirit, with straight whiskies aged at least a couple of years blended in, and it's exactly that combination that gives the brand its light, "silky" style. After Seagram, the brand has changed hands several times and today sits with Suntory Global Spirits.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Ripe apples and baking spice meet a touch of liquorice and a light caramel sweetness.

Palate

Soft and round, with caramel, vanilla and a streak of citrus peel, carried on a light, dry spirit character.

Finish

Short to medium, spiced and slightly leathery, without any heavy cask influence.

Specifications

Name: Kessler American Blended Whiskey 175 cl
Bottler: Kessler (Julius Kessler Company)
Region/Country: USA
Type: American Blended Whiskey
ABV: 40%
Size: 175 CL
EAN no.: 0 87000 20075

Flavour Profile

Spiced · Caramel · Citrus · Medium-bodied · Soft

Did You Know?

Before Julius Kessler made his own whiskey famous, he served as president of the Distillers Securities Corporation – better known under its far less flattering nickname, the "Whiskey Trust".

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Frequently Asked Questions about Kessler American Blended Whiskey 175 cl

What is an American Blended Whiskey?

It's a whiskey style built on neutral grain spirit blended with matured straight whiskies, unlike bourbon, which is entirely straight whiskey. The combination gives a lighter, more approachable flavour.

What makes this particular bottle a collector's item?

The label design featuring Julius Kessler's portrait, the old paper excise strip on the cap, and the three Seagram plants named on the label all point to an older edition of the bottle, from when Seagram owned the brand.

Why is it called "Smooth as Silk"?

It was Julius Kessler's own description of his whiskey back in the late 1800s, and the slogan has been on the label since the end of Prohibition.

Should Kessler be served neat or on ice?

It's built to be flexible – neat, on ice, or in a classic cocktail. Its light, caramel-forward style makes it a natural mixer.

Who was Julius Kessler?

A Hungarian-born businessman who sold whiskey from saloon to saloon across the Old West, and who later became president of both his own company and the notorious "Whiskey Trust".

Is Kessler American Blended Whiskey still in production?

Yes, the brand lives on under Suntory Global Spirits, though this particular bottle is an older edition with a different label design from the current one.