Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1331779
22 22 ✘ Where East Meets West to Make Whiskey History As the great-great grandson of Jim Beam and the son of Booker Noe II, seventh- generation Master Distiller Fred Noe represents a long line of whiskey pioneers. Shinji Fukuyo, meanwhile, is one of only five people to ever hold the title of Chief Blender at Suntory. Between them, the two men have won more awards for their craft than they can count, including World Whisky of the Year (for Booker's Rye Whiskey and Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask, respectively). When these two unparalleled talents decided to team up on a passion project, the result could only become an instant legend—or, in this case, Legent. Combining the best of Kentucky and Japanese tradition, this extraordinary spirit starts with an heirloom Noe family recipe for bourbon aged in newly charred white-oak barrels, a portion of which is then aged further in red-wine and Sherry casks. Fukuyo meticulously blends these primary- and secondary-finished batches to achieve his and Noe's ultimate collaborative vision. The final product at once melds and transcends the categories on which it's based—showing as rich, round, and oaky up front, much like a true bourbon, then evolving on the palate into something more like a Japanese whisky, with layered flavors and a complex finish. Taking a gold medal at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirit Competition, Legent is unquestionably suitable as a sipping bourbon. But it's also ripe for use in cocktails with a touch of East-meets-West flair, such as this one. Kentucky Kyushiki ✘ 2 parts Legent Bourbon ✘ ½ part green tea simple syrup* ✘ 2-4 dashes lavender bitters ✘ Lemon peel Stir together bourbon, syrup, and bitters. Serve on the rocks garnished with an expressed lemon peel. *Green Tea Simple Syrup ✘ 1 cup sugar ✘ 1 cup water ✘ 1 green tea bag Put sugar, water, and tea bag into a saucepan over medium- high heat and cook until sugar is dissolved. Squeeze tea bag and remove from syrup. Cool before using. 22