Mingling is an available strategy for consistency, not a guarantee or proof of superiority. Complementary as well as similar components may be used; ordinary mingling is distinct from legal blended-whiskey categories. Same-page barrel-proof wording needs separate regulatory qualification.
The passage is the opening of Step Five, Blending and Bottling, and distinguishes ordinary barrel mingling from the legally or commercially distinct category of blended whiskey.
The guide says that, apart from single-barrel exceptions, whiskey is commonly assembled from multiple barrels. Producers select similarly flavored barrels, mingle them in vats, and often add purified water to reach bottling proof; the intended result is a consistent product aligned with the distillery's overall style.
Printed p. 123 / PDF sheet 123
Chapter 5 — Blending and Bottling
Visually verified against rendered PDF sheet 123, which displays printed p. 123.
Verified paraphrase from the Society of Wine Educators' 2025 study guide.
Evidence
The guide says most whiskey is assembled from multiple barrels. Producers select similarly flavored barrels, mingle them in vats, and often add water to bottling proof so the result conforms to the distillery's overall style.
Location and context
Chapter 5, Blending and Bottling; printed p. 123 / PDF sheet 123. The passage distinguishes ordinary barrel mingling from blended-whiskey category definitions.
Annotation
The passage strengthens the established claim that consistency is built by selecting and combining variation.