Hankey Bannister is a brand of blended whiskies inspired by recipes from a century ago. Of course, this is what all smaller brands of blended whiskies proclaim and they can, since there is almost no one who can verify whether or not the whiskies taste anything like what they used to back then.

The brand Hankey Bannister has been around for a long time but I hadn’t heard from them until about two or three years ago. Maybe because I’ve never given much thoughts to blended whiskies, and if all professional writer have to be believed, that is a misstep.

A misstep that is taken very seriously because, according to about every magazine about whisky that’s been printed in the last three years, we all have to be spending our money there instead of on quality single malts. Or just spend more so you can buy both.

Anyway, the whisky. I got a sample from Lukasz Dynowiak, of Edinburgh Whisky Blog fame, and a bit because he does a lot of marketing thingies for Inverhouse Distillers.

Hankey Bannister Heritage Blend.

Sniff:
It’s gentle, and rather rich. Some vanilla and oak with a sugary sweetness behind it. Soft cinnamon sticks, toasted oak. It stays light, though.

Sip:
It’s rich and a tad dry. Some oak and I guess a hint of peat (not strange with a 1920s recipe). Vanilla, sugar and tinned fruit syrup. Peach and cinnamon sticks again.

Swallow:
There’s oak on the finish. Slightly more than on the palate, as is the peat. Getting a bit more spicy afterwards too.

If articles writing about blends write about blends like this, they’re right in saying we should pay attention. This is damn tasty stuff and something I’d happily buy!

It’s a rather sweet whisky, but not overpoweringly so. The oak and hints of peat keep everything nicely in check. Recommended!

Hankey Bannister Heritage Blend, 46%, Inverhouse Distillers. Available from Master of Malt at not even € 30!