Directly strengthens existing concepts that consistency is made by managing variation and that single-barrel identity is a selected expression of barrel difference.
The passage distinguishes mingling straight bourbons from the regulated category of blended American whiskey.
Jerry Dalton reports that barrels filled from the same cistern on the same day and stored side by side can still differ markedly. The chapter explains that producers mingle many barrels to maintain a familiar profile, while single-barrel releases deliberately omit that averaging step.
“Mingling” — barrel variation, small batches, and single-barrel selection
“Mingling” — barrel variation, small batches, and single-barrel selection
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