Category Archives: Single Malts

Chichibu Port Pipe 2009-2013 54.5%abv

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2009-2013-port-pipe-4yo-54-5-700ml

Nose: Strawberries. White chocolate, light port, zinfandel, young plums, nutmeg, maple syrup a briny element, wood stained oak. Immediately young in nature though.
Palate: Quite of lot of pepper and nutmeg. White plums, zinfandel, white chocolate, light port, maple syrup, a little soapiness to the mouth feel. Again quite youthful.
Finish: Short on white plums, nutmeg and zinfandel.
Last word: The young age shines through in this one. Not in a base spirit kind of way, but a lack of richness/fullness to the flavors.

Rating: 80/100
You can find another impression of this one at Whiskies R US

Dramtastics Japan(whisky) Road Trip April 2013 – Day 9-10 Karuizawa 1966 21YO 43%Abv

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Spending a couple of days in the World Heritage town of Nikko. Mainly site seeing but thought this would also give me the opportunity to post on a rare, Karuizawa 1966-1987 21YO OB that I have been fortunate enough to secure on this trip.
So what do I know about this whisky. Mostly only the obvious. The years distilled and bottled, age, alcohol percentage and that there was 521 of these in total. That it is thought to have had only one previous owner, the person I acquired it from. That owner was in correspondence with Ocean in regards to this bottling back in the day and had lost most of the information on it, but his best recollection was that the wood shavings in the wooden box the bottle comes in is from the cask it was matured in. Myth or reality it is a romantic notion either way. So what will I be doing with bottle. As it is of far too much historic value, really a museum piece, I hope to find a suitable venue to display this bottle in as it may be the only one left in existence.

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Yamazaki Heavily Peated 2013 No Age Statement 48%abv

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Nose: Lightly peated nose despite the name. Butterscotch, pink grapefruit, honey, incense, oak, autumn leaves and earthy tones.
Palate: Heavy ash, earthy peat,, burnt almonds, black pepper, lemon meringue, honey, salted chocolate.
Finish: Ashy with hot spices, honey, macadamias and earthy peat.
Last word A solid but not spectacular effort, though as I loved the ’93 single cask I had probably set my expectations a bit too high.

Rating: 87/100

Dramtastics Japan(whisky) Road Trip April 2013 – Day 3 Part 1

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This was the opening day of TIBS/Whisky Live Tokyo 2013.
As this was my first time here, I was quite excited to check it all out. What I discovered was a well organized event with plenty to offer the non whisky drinker and whisky enthusiast alike. The combining of The International Bar show and Whisky Live works a treat. I don’t speak Japanese so the mini seminars are lost on me, but as the majority of punters were Japanese plenty of informative talks and demonstrations for those folk. If you click on the above link the stage programs are written in English so you will see what I mean. p1010269
Of course my focus was on Japanese whisky and there was more than enough to satisfy. I pre purchased my day ticket online which was Y5000. Basically this is an entry fee, though I did receive a glencairn glass on admission which was great as I didn’t really want to taste whisky from those little plastic cups. There was plenty to taste for free but also a premium tasting ticket system for those who wanted to taste the high end gear. These could be bought for either Y1000 or Y5000. I chose the Y5000 package which gave me 25 tickets from memory. I mean memory as I tasted 18 different whiskies on the day. Props to the Venture whisky(Hanyu/Chichibu) stand as almost everything was free except 2 bottling’s. As the freebies included all the latest from the Card series and some experimental bottles of Chichibu I felt this was very generous.
Plenty of water stands to keep you hydrated and clean your glass between drams but strangely no food stands. As most people at the show including myself were getting a pretty sauced on whisky or cocktails this would been a nice addition.
Some shout outs:
The nice guy who gave me a run down on the progress on this event in Tokyo over the years.
Jeff(Geoff) from Metropolis Magazine and Kyle from Japan Tourist.
The Hong Kong Posse.
The lovely Japanese couple who gave me the whisky bar recommendation in Shibuya.
All the friendly staff serving at the Suntory, Nikka and Venture whisky stands.
And a special mention to the team from Hombo Shuzo(Mars) whisky stand.
Tasted on the day with my absolute standouts highlighted in gold. Only the Nikka Black was disappointing.
The TIBS/WL Bottling of Chichibu
The TIBS/WL Bottling of Hanyu
Yoichi Single Cask 1988-2013 23YO Warehouse 25 #100212 62%
Mars Komagatake 22YO 43%
Mars Awai Tradition Wine Case Finish 40%
Chichibu Refill Barrel #2186 60.2%
Chichibu Refill Hogshead 2010-2013 #705 63.2%
Chichibu Almost 5(years Old) refill/hogshead finished #2472 61.8%
Whisky Shop W. 2nd Anniversary Yamazaki 1999 13YO Puncheon 57%
Nikka Black Rich Blend 40%
Nikka Taketsuru 25YO
Yoichi Single Cask ‘Old Nic’s Dram’ #400860 1997-2013 15YO 59%
Hanyu 23 Year Old 58%
Ichiro’s Malt Ace of Clubs 2000-2012 1st Cask Hogshead 2nd Cask Mizunara(Japanese Oak) 59.4%
Ichiro’s Malt 7 of Spades 1990-2012 1st Cask Hogshead 2nd Cask Cognac 53.8%
Ichiro’s Malt 6 of Hearts 1991-2012 1st Cask Hogshead 2nd Cask American Oak Puncheon 57.9%
Hibiki 30
Yamazaki Heavily Peated NAS 2013 58%

Ichiro’s Malt 8 of Clubs 1988-2011 Hogshead/American Oak Puncheon #7100 57.5%

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ichiros-malt-8-of-clubs-1988-23yo-7100-57-5Nose: Pepper, nutmeg. oregano, cloves, overripe peaches, brazil nuts, marmalade, mixed peel, medium peat. Water adds a wild flower note.
Palate: Cocoa, coconut, brazil nuts, pepper, stewed apples, salt and medium peating. Water helps define these flavors and ramps up the hot spices.
Finish: Good length on cocoa, coconut, hot spices, eucalyptus, peat and a mineral element.
Last Word: The balance between heat, sweet and peat is a winner.

Rating:92/100

Ichiro’s Malt and Grain 20YO 46%

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ichiros-malt-and-grain-20yo-46Nose: Straight off the bat I pick up the Kawasaki influence, so sherry cask single grain. Cream of wheat, creamed corn, toffee, pipe tobacco, leather, fresh cut timber, hessian, mint and white pepper. Rich and succulent.
Palate: More of the Kawasaki sherry cask single grain. Chinese 5 spice, marzipan, nougat, pine, pipe tobacco, leather, rhubarb, roasted chestnuts and honey on crumpets.
Finish: Follows the palate with the pipe tobacco and leather prominent.
Last Word: This is a blend of Hanyu malt and Kawasaki single grain whiskies. There have been a number of these with 20YO age statements and different labels and I am not sure if they are the same bottling or not. Well crafted, high end blending.

Rating: 89/90

Ichiro’s Malt – The Playing Card Whisky Series

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Whisky enthusiast/writer Ulf Buxrud recently released his web published dedication to all things Ichiro Malt Card Series. ichiros-malt-cards_0 Plenty of stuff that would have been taken from his book about Japanese whisky but as this web based info is free, a handy reference guide indeed. You can view Mr Buxruds site here and if there are any Card Series fanatics out there that spot any errors please contact me, I’ll be sure to pass it on.

Kirin Sanroku 18YO 43%abv

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kirin-sanroku-sm-18yoNose: Pineapple, walnuts, white pepper, cigar leaf, clay, dried apricots, mixed herbs. After about 20 minutes, there is a strong note of treacle.
Palate: Pineapple, walnut, brazil nut, some lemon, blueberry bubblegum, quite herbaceous.
Finish: It has a medium length with pineapple, spices, herbs, nuts, blueberry bubblegum and, finally, the cigar leaf makes a return.
Last Word: A well structured whisky of good complexity.

Rating: 88/100

World Whisky Awards 2013

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These are run by Whisky Magazine every year. Can’t say I’m an avid follower of whisky award competitions in general, which is reflected by the fact that these were announced a week ago. Even more strange is that I have been a forum member of WM for about 4 years now, so blissfully ignorant. What twigged my curiosity was the amount of searches I have had on TJWR over the last few days for the following, Mars 3 Plus 25. Great news, this one won the Worlds Best Blended Malt category.
Also stoked as I wrote the first tasting notes of this one in English and it’s one of the malts I have recommended to put on the buy list of many people who have asked me. Also one I always send samples of to friends. Unfortunetly I don’ think there are too many of these floating around now. If you are in Singapore The Auld Alliance now has this one is stock. Hey Emmanuel(director of The Auld Alliance), I told you so….. ; )
Significantly, Hibiki 21, won worlds best blended whisky yet again.
You can read the full list of ‘winners’ here.

Update 30/3/2013: On reflection that bottling of Mars was released in 2011, so, not sure what the selection criteria is for these awards but it seems a little random.

Yamazaki Vintage Malt 1980-2004 Sherry Cask 56%

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p1010113Nose: A bag of dried fruits. Dry sherry, licorice, cinnamon, caramelized sugar, smoked orange, bbq sauce, duck sauce, soy sauce, soft leather, dried autumn leaves and caramel.
Palate: Cola drenched orange slices, licorice oil, pepper, brazil nuts, leather satchel, well judged oak, dried fruits, fruit tingles, salt. Plenty of bold spiciness.
Finish: Brazil nuts, dry sherry, licorice, chocolate, almonds, nougat, oak, dried fruits, fruit tingles and a little ash.
Last Word: Quite different to the sweeter, dark sherry style I am used to from Yamazaki but appealingly so. Big hitting and balanced at the same time.

Rating: 91/100
*Notes taken from the sample in photo.

Suntory Single Malt Yamazaki Sherry Butt for Isetan 15YO 61%

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yamazaki-sherry-cask-for-isetan-15yo-61Nose: Classic Yamazaki dark sherry notes. Rich yet elegant. Dark cherries, plums, chocolate, coffee, leather, sweet spices and oak.
Palate: Great development on dark fruits, fruit gums, ginger snaps. cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, Japanese forests, cloves. Sweet but never cloying the oak adds some balancing dryness. No need for water.
Finish: Follows the palate with some added mint, blackberry and tobacco leaf. Excellent length.
Final Word: Another fabulous Yamazaki sherry cask bottling.

Rating: 92/100

Karuizawa 1981-2011 Sherry Cask #7924 56.6%abv

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p1000977Nose: Dry Sherry. Dark orange chocolate, dried leaves, kirsch, caramel, Chinese 5 spice, roasted nuts, pepper, nutmeg.
Palate: Raisins, burnt sugar, burnt orange, orange sherbet, struck match, sour candies, pepper. Water makes this tangier and adds some vanilla, bubblegum, licorice, cola, orange coffee liqueur.
Finish: Pretty much follows the palate with burnt caramel, burnt sugar and burnt orange.
Last Word: Not terrible but all the burnt flavors aren’t my cup of tea.

Rating: 81/100
*Notes taken from the purchased sample in photo.

Yamazaki Heavily Peated 2013 No Age Statement 48%

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Although this news has been released by Suntory for a short time already, some readers may not have picked up on it. Good news, if you live in Japan and have some retail contacts you may be able to pick up a bottle or two. Bad news, if you live outside of Japan and don’t have any retail contacts there you are likely to miss out until they reach auctions and you have to pay at least double the price as this apparently is a Japan only release. Heavily Peated NAS Hakushu have been available for retail sale in the UK/Europe.
Interesting that this is another No Age Statement bottling from Suntory which indicates one of 2 things. That previous news of low stock numbers at Yamazaki and/or Hakushu are true(due to the recent popularity of Japanese whisky), hence having to blend younger and older stock, or, it’s a way to keep the price down as single cask offerings like the Yamazaki Heavily Peated 1993 can cost a ‘motsa’ these days. Personally, I’m going with the former. Reading Suntory’s own website they seem to be looking at ramping up production, more to follow on that.
So bottom line, there will be 3500 bottles of this and official release day is 23 April. Contact your Japanese whisky supplier if you have one.
Final word, Yamazaki Heavily Peated whisky tends to be just that, with Hakushu Heavily Peated whisky tending to be more mid range than heavy so this one should be interesting.

Suntory Yamazaki Taradeshi Genshu Sherry Cask NAS 54%

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yamazaki-sherry-cask-nas-genshu-malt

Nose: Spiced orange liqueur, oak, varnish, dry sherry, marmalade. A bit of a blunt instrument the way it presents itself.
Palate: Oranges, raisins, oak, mixed peel, some overripe strawberries mixed grapefruit bitterness.
Finish: Pretty simple and lacks balance.
Last Word: I’m a huge fan of Yamazaki sherry cask mature whisky and this one doesn’t cut the mustard.

Rating: 78/100

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique #WO80225011 NAS 59.9%abv

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p1010195Nose: Fruit mince pies, mixed peel, dry sherry, Mount Gay Extra Old Rum, roasted chestnuts, Gummy Bears.
Palate: Huge tangy fruitiness, roasted chestnuts, tobacco leaf, mixed herbs, peppery heat and some drying oak.
Finish: Medium length with a battle between the tangy fruitiness and the oaky dryness.
Last Word: As good a young whisky as I’ve tried and incredible for such a young distillery.

Rating: 90/100

Karuizawa Noh 27YO Multi Vintage for LMDW Sherry and Bourbon Casks 59.7%abv

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karuizawa-multi-vintage-27yo-bott-2011-59-1-for-lmdw-sherry-bourbon-6405497381846437Nose: Chlorine at a public swimming pool shower block. Match heads, lavender, mixed peel, wet dog. Odd!
Palate: Sherry, sweet orange. toffee, cloves, nutmeg, salt. Adding water neither adds or subtracts.
Finish: Wet cement, toffee, pepper, salt, match heads, chlorine.
Last Word: Not a total disaster despite the odd notes.

Rating: 79/100
*Notes taken from a purchased sample.

Karuizawa Noh 1981-2012 Sherry Cask #4676 for TWE 58.6%abv

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karuizawa-1981-noh-cask-4676-sherry-58-6Nose: Earthy also mint, mushrooms, raisin toast, aged demerara rum, leather, brazil nuts, prunes, charcoal.
Palate: Prunes, mint, chocolate, aged demerara rum, damp earth, brazil nuts, nutmeg. Nice balance. Added water, better without.
Finish: Not particularly long on damp earth, sherry, brazil nuts, nutmeg and wet dog.
Last Word: A fine sherry cask matured whisky only really let down by the short finish.

Rating: 90/100

Karuizawa 1996-2008 OB #7387 60.7%abv

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karuizawa-1986-2008-60-7-ob-cask-7387Nose: Not a lot going on. Honey, fermenting pears, wood shaving, straw, burnt twigs, bubble bath.
Palate: Fairly simple. Toffee, rhubarb, nutmeg, burnt twigs, pepper and salt. Water makes this a little sweeter and adds a nutty element.
Finish: Honey on oats, burnt twigs and pepper.
Last Word: Fairly average stuff.

Rating: 78/100
*Notes taken from a purchased sample.

Karuizawa 1982-2012 Coy Label Bourbon Barrel #8497 46%abv

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p1000863Nose: Vanilla, banana, toffee, grapefruit, apple. Some burnt rubber and floor polish.
Palate: Pretty hard to get passed the burnt rubber without adding water. Also fairly bitter. With quite a bit of water, grapefruit, a little apricot jam, toffee, banana, licorice and ash.
Finish: Burnt rubber and bitter elements dominate. Ends with some ashy dryness.
Last Word: Had this open for about 4 months now and it seems to be falling apart.

Rating: 70/100(just).