Karuizawa 1990 / Bot.2012 / First Fill Sherry Cask #679

Nose: Stewed raisins, pine, woody rancio, damp summer forest floors, polished leather, Garibaldi biscuits, eccles cakes, molasses. As it sits it develops some vanilla and meaty umami.

Palate: Sugary sweetness and big dark wood to start, becoming heavier and savoury with some sweet ristretto notes and dark dried fruit. It gets dryer as it sits, with raisiny fruit developing into drying bitter tannins.

Finish: Old soft leather, sour dark red grapes, soft liquorice.

Comment: A hefty whisky that doesn't have the sweetness of many sherry bombs. Heavy and savoury with some fruity sweetness hiding in the mix.

Nose:  Heavy concentrated raisin syrup and prune juice initially, plums marinated in XO cognac, some furniture polish, faint hints of long-aged balsamic vinegar and some sweet charred meat notes - sticky BBQ ribs?  Develops notes of menthol, herbs and beach bonfire after five mins in the glass.

Palate:  Rather full-bodied and very warming and spicy. Big sherry attack, sweet initially, then becoming more savoury, with some charred barley notes, indeterminate herbs, that rather delicious meatiness and an ongoing thread of honey. 

Finish: Warm, long, big oak, spicy - cinnamon, clove, hot chilli -with a molasses note underneath.

Comment: Water tames it...a bit.  This is a beast.