Tasting Notes by Jim Murray
Nose: Lychees and sweet white grape.
Palate: Immediately sweet with a slow implosion of peat that seems to arise from nowhere.
Finish: Long, lingering, massive malt frame.
Comment: Sheer brilliance. An absolute must for anyone who regards himself a whisky connoisseur. 9.25/10
[These notes are reproduced from Whisky Magazine Issue 13]
Tasting Notes from Whiskyfun (Serge Valentin)
Nose: very elegant, starting on walnut cake and hints of gingerbread. Goes on with quite some vanilla and cinnamon, pollen, tobacco… Rather beautiful oakiness. Also fresh strawberries.
Mouth: creamy but nervous, with a smoky start, quite powerful and concentrated. Walnut liqueur, speculoos again like in the Miyagikyo, candy sugar. Slightly minty. Gets spicy (cloves), gingery… Long finish, faint cardboardiness, lots of spices, bitter chocolate, a little salt and various nuts. Bold and complex – different (very ‘Japanese’) but beautiful.
87 points