Whiskey Hunky Bannister: history, overview of taste and types

1) The story of Hanka Bannister
2) Features of production
3) Overview of Hunky Bannister flavors and types

A drink for true gentlemen - this is the name of the whiskey Hankey Bannister, created by English businessmen for the London elite.

Among the famous fans of the drink were Oscar Wilde, Evelyn Waugh, Winston Churchill and members of the royal family.

The story of Hanka Bannister

In 1757, Beaumont Hankey and Hugh Bannister founded the Wines and Spirits Company in London's West End to produce exclusive spirits. The partners set out to offer the British aristocracy alcoholic beverages that could satisfy the most demanding taste.

In search of ingredients, they went to Scotland, where they selected the best samples of spirits to create a blend.

The result was a whiskey with a double name and character, which borrowed the best qualities from both creators. The drink inherited brightness and sophisticated charisma from the charming socialite Beaumont. The prudent businessman Hugh gave the blend power and elegance.

In 1785, the company moved from the fashionable West End to the City. The new cellars were located in the famous Adelphi Terrace building of neoclassical style, designed by the Adams brothers. In the following years, the company had to change its address more than once. Things were going well, and by the beginning of the XX century, the Hankey Bannister brand had reached the peak of popularity.

In 1901, the drink was approved by George V: the company received its first order to supply the royal table and began to actively absorb competitors.

In 1922, the company merged with "Saccone" & Speed" under the name "Hankey Bannister & Co." and soon received another Royal Warrant (this time from George VI), confirming its reputation as a supplier of elite alcohol.

Since 1988, the brand has been owned by the Inver House Distillers alcohol company. Scotch production is concentrated in North Lanarkshire.

In recent years, the prestigious brand's whiskeys have repeatedly won top awards at the World Whisky Awards and IWSC international competitions.

Features of production

The perfect taste of Hankey Bannister is the result of careful selection of ingredients and adherence to the original recipe, which dates back to the 18th century:

Scotch is made from the best Scottish distillates, including single malt from old Highland distilleries (Pulteney, Balblair, AnCnoc, Speyburn, Balmenach) and delicate grain spirits from the Lowlands.
Malted barley for Hankey Bannister Original is dried in the air without the use of peat smoke, which allows to express the subtlest shades of flavor and provides the drink with smoothness.
The process is completed by aging in oak and "marriage" of spirits. Minimum maturation period - 3 years. The percentage of evaporation (the "angel share") during this period reaches 9%. After mixing, the scotch is given time to come to harmony without immediately bottling it.

The entire process - from distillation to bottling - takes place in Scotland.

Overview of Hunky Bannister flavors and types

Original Blend

The same scotch invented by London innovators Hugh and Beaumont over 250 years ago. An exquisite blend of creamy toffee color with a golden sheen and a light aroma of spices.
Taste: balanced, clean, delicate, with tones of spices and honey, a pleasant sweet finish.
Heritage Blend

A rare drink with a taste of history, recreated according to the 1920s recipe.
Color: golden amber.
Aroma: sweet, spicy and smoky, with hints of burnt orange, green apple, vanilla and caramel.
Finish: full-bodied, with hints of honey, toffee, a long, layered finish.
12 Year Old Regency

Perfectly balanced sweet and spicy blend of mature spirits aged in bourbon barrels.
Color: amber with copper reflections.
Nose: sweetish, with tones of vanilla and oak.
Taste: harmonious, soft with a smoky aftertaste.
21 Year Old Partners Reserve

A luxurious scotch for special occasions, matured in selected bourbon and sherry barrels.
Color: dark honey with bronze reflections. The aroma is dominated by dried fruit, vanilla and oak notes.
Taste: soft, creamy, with hints of toffee, Christmas spices and dark chocolate.
Aftertaste: smooth, malty, lingering.
Aged 25 Years

An exquisite full-bodied drink aged in American oak. Available in a limited edition.
Color: dark golden.
Aroma: bright, fruity, with accents of citrus, green apple, vanilla, caramel and a slight hint of leather.
Nose: rich, complex, with tones of lemon, orange, toffee, honey, vanilla and coconut.
Aftertaste: lingering, spicy, with a subtle leather touch.
Aged 40 Years

Exclusive scotch made from hand-selected ingredients: malt spirits from the Highlands, aged for over 40 years in sherry casks, and the best grain distillates from the Lowlands. Bottled at a natural strength of 44.3%. A total of 1480 decanters were produced.
Color: dark copper.
Aroma: sweet, confectionery, with tones of vanilla cake, fresh pastries, bananas in caramel.
Taste: multi-layered, spicy and peppery, with notes of figs, dates and cinnamon.
Finish: long with hints of autumn spices, bitter chocolate, toffee and oak.