Legent Bourbon Bottle Price Guide & Review (2023 Updated)
Last Updated on August 22, 2023 by Lydia Martin
For some, Legent’s bottle design looks like a careless brush of a palette. However, it showcases the side faces of the blended bourbon makers, Fukuyo and Noe. As interesting as the design, does this bourbon offer what whiskey enthusiasts search for?
Find out in this Legent bourbon review.
All About Legent Bourbon
Legent bourbon whiskey is a one-of-a-kind bourbon that uses two unique styles of whiskey making. It is a collaboration between two whiskey legends, Fred Noe, Jim Beam’s master distiller, and Suntory Whiskey’s master blender, Shinji Fukuyo.
They incorporated some ideology from the founding house of Fukuyo. This unique bourbon whiskey uses distinct Japanese methods in making wines while remaining true to the concept of bourbon’s principles.
Interesting Information
History & Origin
Suntory Holdings Limited owned Jim Beam when the company finally acquired it in 2014. This multinational brewing company produces fortified liquors [1] and varied types of whiskeys and spirits. Jim Beam’s master distiller, Fred Noe, worked with Suntory Holdings Japan’s master blender, Shinji Fukoyo, to develop a different Kentucky Straight bourbon breed.
They brainstormed for two years until they devised a concoction incorporating bourbon-making methods and whiskey-aging processes. This move was risky but was something that produced an impressive result.
Production Process
The spirit is distilled and aged for at least four years before being moved to either sherry casks or other wine barrels. The distillation is Fred Noe’s playground. After this part, the expertise of Fukuyo steps in as he blends the younger bourbon with an older whiskey.
The two did vertical testings on various mixed spirits before having these bourbons finished in sherry or red wine barrels.
Mash Bill
Like other bourbon whiskeys made at Jim Beam, this bourbon whiskey is also made of 76% corn, 12% rye, and 10% malted barley. Fred Noe and Shinji Fukuyo applied and learned from their fields of expertise after the mash bill components were distilled.
Both are interested in improving their level of mastery. Thus they were able to come up with a blended bourbon whiskey with complex layers of flavors.
Ownership
This unique bourbon is owned and released under Jim Beam. It opened a broader whiskey category. Unlike any traditional Kentucky straight bourbon, this has a one-of-a-kind bottle made in the USA but with a touch of Japan.
Tasting Notes
Palate
The palate has the rich taste of grains with sweet notes of caramel, honey, and red fruits. It also has a nuttier flavor and a strong hint of vanilla and oaky taste. It is warm to the mouth but not in a displeasing way.
Nose
The nose is greeted with the balanced aroma of grains, spice, and candied fruits.
Color
It has a golden shade with a somehow reddish hue.
Finish
This bottle has an unexpectedly long finish with a sweet wine undertone. It also has a slight touch of spice which dies shortly.
What Makes Legent Bourbon Special?
Legent bourbon whiskey is special because this is a collaboration of two masters from both ends of the world with different techniques. They were able to infuse three products from Jim Beam and produce a new breed of Kentucky straight bourbon.
They used a four-year-old bourbon (at least) and finished its aging in sherry casks giving it spicy and dried oak flavors. Another batch of the same bourbon is finished in red wine casks acquiring hints of fruitiness.
What’s Legent Bourbon’s Cocktail Omakase Series?
Legent Bourbon’s Cocktail Omakase Series is where fans are invited to participate in a Cocktail Omakase (2) tasting with different locations.
An expert, either a mixologist or a bartender, creates a drink similar to how a dealer’s choice works. However, Omakase is different since drinkers will be asked to register, so the creators of the drinks will create their versions based on the participants’ answers.
Common Legent Bourbon Price
| Type | Size | Alcohol By Volume | Average Price |
| Legent Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey | 750 ml | 47% | Roughly $42 |
Compared to Other Bourbons
Woodford Reserve
Woodford Reserve is from Brown-Forman. There is no age statement released, although talks circulating say these were aged for at least seven years. The details of its tasting profile denote baked apples, cinnamon, and mangoes with just enough smoke and spice.
It has a clear, bright, and smooth finish. This bottle is cheaper than Legent’s as its 750 ml bottle is priced roughly at $37.
Smoke Wagon
Smoke Wagon was created by ordinary individuals who started their own company, then bought, blended, and aged MGP spirits. It has rich fruit notes with strong oak and smoke on both palate and the nose.
Each 750 ml bottle is roughly $54, a bit more expensive than Legent’s.
Maker’s Mark
Maker’s Mark from Beam Suntory is a very smooth bourbon mainly because of the meticulous aging method. They are very particular with the details, including stave insertion on barrels during the regular aging time and extended aging.
It has a lot of sweet vanillas with citrus, cocoa, licorice, and toasted oak. It finishes medium-long with a sweet peppery note.
Popular Legent Bourbon Cocktail Recipes
Kentucky Kyushiki
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Legent bourbon
- 1/2 ounce green tea simple syrup
- 2–4 dashes of lavender bitters
- Lemon peel (for garnish)
Instructions:
Place all ingredients in a rock glass except garnish. Stir well. Drop ice and garnish with lemon peel.
Serving: 1
Jet Set
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Legent bourbon
- 1/2 ounce Amaro liqueur
- 1/4 ounce dry curacao
- 1/4 ounce spicy liquor (preferably Ancho Reyes Original Liqueur)
- 1/4 ounce simple syrup
- 2–4 dashes of chocolate bitters
Instructions:
Prepare a Glencairn glass. Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass. Muddle glass contents. Pour and strain into Glencairn glass with ice cubes. Serve.
Serving: 1
FAQs
How do you drink Legent bourbon?
You drink Legent bourbon whiskey on the rocks, straight, or blend it with cocktails. This bourbon whiskey is a great sipping whiskey because it has the classic bourbon flavor with more layers of complexity in it. It is perfect for cocktails with just enough warm feel to the mouth but no burn.
Who distills Legent bourbon?
James B. Beam Distilling Co. distills Legent bourbon whiskey. It is created for Beam Suntory. It is processed like any other bourbon whiskey from Beam Suntory, but it has unique finishing touches where it’s stored in sherry casks or red wine barrels to develop more character.
Conclusion
Legent bourbon whiskey is one of the preferred whiskey bottles in the market because it has complex flavors. Noe and Shinjiro managed to pick the right bourbons to incorporate, and the entire world is enjoying it now. It stands out with its unique attributes.
The review, test, and research done on every step they take ensured the excellence of the character of this bourbon whiskey. The price is reasonable considering the outcome of what Fred and Shinji worked on. This Legent bourbon review concludes that this bourbon deserves a spot on the top shelf.
References:
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/fortified-wine
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/elanagolub/2018/02/13/this-new-york-bar-puts-a-cocktail-twist-on-traditional-omakase/
