Kauizawa 36yo 1972-2008 65% OB cask#7290 Sherry Butt
I needed two titralac prior to this one just to cope with the high strength due to some light heartburn earlier on the day. 65% after 36 years, I remember I had another one at this strength at about the same age, a dark sherried Inchgower that were utterly amazing. I think some sherry casks has this influence. Lets see with this one, which is much paler, golden tan. Smells extreme, not as much sweetness, more sort of an oaky old spirit, like som of the A'bunadhs that's not caught enough sherry impact. This one reminds me sort of the puncheon, like there's some peaty and sweet notes. A bit cardboard, dark syrup and this strange sour cream cheese sensation in the finish.
Again, not as much flavor as I'd expect but what's there is very good: 7.5
Karuizawa Noh 14yo 1995-2009 59.4% OB for Jekyll's cask#5039
Second expression I've tried that's been imported by Jekyll's, last one was a Glengoyne I liked a lot, that was a dark one as well. I guess they like their malts sherried at Jekyll's. Smells of roasted fruit, plums, honey and sweet licorice, my favorite profile so far what nosing is concerned. All in a pleasant modesty, no spirity notes despite the quite massive 59.4%abv. The taste is sweet and bitter, not bad at all but the wood is kind of killing the other flavors. it's almost like licking dry wood. Again I believe water can help it reach its potential. Water helps a bit and some sweet notes of raspberry jam and sweet potato mash comes to the surface.
A fine sherry monster: 7
Yamazaki NAS 48% OB Puncheon
At 48%abv. I think this one might make more of an impression on my tastebuds, I usually thought that puncheons used to carry sherry, but this one is as bland as any other youngster from Islay, maybe it just had very short time in the cask? It smells strong, earthy, dry wheat, yeast, not as pleasant as the last one but definately talks a bit more around the table. Lets call it. Now the taste iss immensely sweet with lots of ripe dark fruits and berries. Also very dry and concentrated, but most of all sensationally sweet, let's try with some water. Now it gets more rounded, and quite peppery on the finish.
I liked this one a lot, elements of the Highlands: 7
Hakushu 10yo 40.5% OB
I'm doing a vertical of different japanese whiskies today, will I finally discover the magic of Japanese whisky? This one is a very light and available malt that I guess would fit as start when it comes to Japan. White wine color, smells sweet and malty, rice wine and fructose syrup. The taste shows to be a bit dry, acidic sweetness, orange peel, lots of citric zest and linseeds(!). Crazy stuff, I must admit it has a lot of smooth things going on but it just doesn't have the punch and richness often found in scotch.
A bizarrely light malt: 4
Karuizawa 26yo 1981-2007 58.1% OB cask#103
A red, slightly pink japanese whisky this one, from what I've heard it's a peaty japanese, who knew? Well, for what I know I might be the least updated whiskyblogger around when it comes to japanese single malts. So take this for what it is. Smells more spirity than peaty, with some aniseed. The taste is a thrill, really enticing, chilli, peat, marcipan, cloves, oak, spices, herbal, here's a little bit of everything. Water doesn't make much difference, but here that's a good thing. This has changed some of my thoughts when it comes to whisky from japan.
A flavourful and powerful whisky: 8
Yoichi 10yo 45% OB Nikka Distillery
Some japanese whisky then, which seems to have impressed lots of people. Last time I tried one from the land of the rising sun, I believe it was a Suntory. I was far from impressed then, perhaps this will make a difference in my opinion. This one is extremely minty, like the smell from your mouth when chewing a whole pack of spearmint gum. The taste is very clean, the palate strikes me as a bit bland, with small hints of roasted nuts and chocolate. The aftertaste is the highlight for me in this Samurai. Very long and peppery, infused with a longlasting herbal exit.
Maybe I will try some more Japanese malts in the near future: 7
Suntory 12yo 40% OB
Okay, today I'll be having some japanese, some irish and some scotch grain, this ought to be an interesting session. Actually this is my first japanese malt whisky ever. Smells nutty, marcipan, grassy, sort of plain. The taste itself is far from what I'd expect, sour apples, very phenolic, weird alcohol flavours, ink? I'll just add water to this one right away. Alright, now less alcohol, but no other development. If this is a representative for the Japanese malt style I have no idea what the fuzz is all about. Hopefully I'll get a chance to try some other Japanese in the near future that can convince me otherwise.
Spirity stuff: 2.5
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