Karuizawa 33 Year Old Emerald Geisha

Tasting notes by Billy Abbott (The Whisky Exchange)

• Up front are caramel-covered oak boards, a dusting of nutmeg and piney juniper, and flamed orange zest. Digestive biscuits and cheesecloth peek out from the sides, balancing rich earthiness and damp tree bark. Crackling autumn leaves and temple incense smoulder like an old bonfire.Palate: Intense raisin and plum sweetness burst out of the glass, balanced by crunchy autumn leaves. Green oak and dried twigs snap together and a gently mentholated note floats through the middle. Sugary dried fruit develops, along with vanilla sauce and bittersweet spiced chocolate. Water adds layers of spiced and baked apple: fruity and rich with carefully matched sweet and tart notes. Finish: Soft, old-oak spiciness and char fades to reveal sweet apple sauce and crunchy sliced pear.