Hey there, bars open. In this video I finally crack open The Suntory World Whisky Ao (the “owl” whisky, as I kept calling it), and I give you my honest tasting notes the usual three ways: neat, with a splash of water, and on the rocks. This one is Suntory’s “world whisky” blend—an amalgamation of five whiskies from Irish, Scotch, American, Canadian, and Japanese styles. I also talk about the buying experience in Japan: I almost grabbed it at the Suntory museum gift shop for about S$35, but I’m glad I didn’t—because a nearby convenience store had it for about S$30, and it’s only a 350ml bottle at 43%. Neat, the colour is super pale and the legs drop fast, which already made me worry about the finish. On the nose I got that fresh-bottle nail polish remover vibe, and on the palate it came across confused: sweet, a bit sour, smoky, and oily all at once, with a definite burn. With water, it turns more comfortable and oddly bourbon-like (even reminded me of Jim Beam), but it also strips away a lot of what makes it “world whisky.” On the rocks, it gets harsher and drier—like the cheap-whisky dryness. End result: I don’t recommend it, and I’m happy I only bought the small bottle.