Japan ~ 48% ~ $213 ~
Japanese whisky is at an inflection point in its maturity, from new brands to new laws (to outrageous prices!) and everything in between. And yet, we’d be crazy not to have a Japanese whisky in the 12 Drams. Please enjoy this expression from the relatively new Asaka distillery in the northeast of Japan who draw their production water from melting mountain snow. We were fortunate to find this bottle, vatted from both sherry and peat malts, as it is rarely available outside of Japan.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The nose first treated us to a selection of desserts. Apple and cherry crumble drizzled with caramel sauce and creme anglaise, banoffee pie. Yes, for those uninitiated, that’s banana and toffee
Palate
On the palate, we got an array of flavours that told of a combination of cask types. There was a definite sherry note that came across with dried cherries, alongside a thick creamy vanilla and macadamia nuts.
Finish
Here is a soft peat that swells towards the finish and then lingers with a beautiful serenity. Well crafted and well balanced. Light but powerful, like someone turned the gravity down and everything just weighs less.