A Whiskey Blender Breaks Down How A Whiskey Is *Actually* Blended

What does it mean when someone “blends a whiskey?” My goal with this piece is to answer just that, while also dispelling some old myths about what whiskey blending is and isn’t. I was lucky enough to get some help on this journey from one of my favorite brands, Balcones, and their blender Emma Crandall.

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s lay down a few foundational facts. All whiskeys are a blend of barrels unless they’re labeled “single barrel” or “single...