BENDT No. 5 American Blended Whiskey Review & Tasting Notes

 

Blended whiskeys. I’ve discussed several times how this category, no matter what countries the individual components originate, is unfairly snubbed by many whiskey enthusiasts. They assume that blends occur in a misguided attempt to salvage substandard whiskeys. While certain blends are a step or so above turpentine, blending is an art form. Moreover, in theory, anything that’s not a single barrel or cask is a blend, and that’s most of the coveted whiskeys out there.

 

A successful blend is contingent on two critical components: the artist and the whiskeys used. If either one sucks, so will what’s in the bottle.

 

Bendt Distilling Company is a distillery in Lewisville, Texas, making grain-to-glass whiskey since 2012. If you’ve seen the word Texas and are ready to stop reading, don’t. This distillery has impressed the hell out of me. I’ve reviewed its Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, Bottled-in-Bond Rye, Bottled-in-BondMalt, and Bottled-in-Bond Wheat whiskeys. They’ve all received strong Bottle ratings, and last year, the Rye took my Best American Rye award.

 

Today, I’m checking out BENDT No. 5 American Blended Whiskey. Why No. 5? Is it the fifth attempt? The fifth release? Nope. Bendt No. 5 is named for being a blend of five different Bendt-distilled whiskeys, each matured at least two years: Bourbon, Rye, Malt, Wheat, and Light Whiskey. Once that process was completed, it spent a second two years in oak. Packaged at 41.5% ABV (83°), a 750ml bottle has a suggested price of $24.99.

 

“An aromatic blend of five distinct small batch Texas whiskeys, hand-crafted, distilled, and aged under one roof in Old Town Lewisville, Texas, then blended together to create BENDT No. 5.

Bending and weaving 5 superb whiskeys together, BENDT No. 5 has captured the essence of each whiskey’s finest characteristics, creating a smooth, perfectly balanced blend.” – Bendt Distilling Company    

 

I thank Bendt Distilling Company for providing me with a sample of Bendt No. 5 in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. Let’s #DrinkCurious and explore how it fares.

 

Appearance: I poured this American whiskey into a Glencairn glass intending to sip it neat. It was a cloudy hay-colored liquid and produced a thick rim and massive tears.

 

Nose: A complex aroma included smells of corn, vanilla, barley, rye bread, toasted oak, earthy moss, and clove. As I pulled the air into my mouth, there was rye bread and earthy moss.

 

Palate: BENDT No. 5’s texture was thin and a tad silky. On the front, there was a blast of corn. The middle provided tastes of apricots and baked apples. The back featured rye bread and oak tannins.  

 

Finish: Medium in duration, the finish included flavors of corn, apricots, oak spice, and rye bread.  

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: I’ve had four of the five components and loved them. I’ve not tried Bendt’s Light Whiskey yet. On one hand, this is an exciting blend that I’m unaware others have tried. On the other, some of the flavors faded so quickly that they were challenging to identify. Would a higher proof fix that, or is this purposefully low-proofed so one whiskey’s character doesn’t steamroll the others?

 

This is a $25.00 American whiskey that’s unlike any other $25.00 one I’ve tried. I’m unsure if a novice would appreciate what’s in the glass; it seems geared toward a more experienced whiskey drinker. I believe picking up a Bottle of BENDT No. 5 is worthwhile simply because it is so unique. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.