Kura The Whisky Pure Malt Japanese Rum Barrel Finish
40% ABV
$50 – $60
Website
What the Distillery Says
Made in the southernmost region of Japan, the exceptional “Kura The Whisky” is the result of careful aging in American White Oak. Finished in Japanese rum casks, its remarkable sweet aroma is accompanied by its distinctive mellow taste. The permeance of the unique Okinawa islands is infused with this premium spirit. Crafted in exceptionally small quantities.
What Gary Says
Nose: Peat, iodine, sea salt, herbaceous with vanilla undertones and a whiff of smoke.
Palate: Sweet honey & vanilla, peat followed by melon and vegetal notes.
Finish: Moderately long with peat and vegetal notes.
Comments: Of the 3 samples from the Flaviar tasting box, this was my favorite – although that’s a low bar. Heavy peat although not a lot of smoke – which makes it interesting. I didn’t get any rum influence (maybe the melon on the palate?) Note that ‘Pure Malt’ designation with Japanese whiskies is similar to the ‘blended malt’ designation in scotch whisky – and in fact Japan allows bottling of whisky distilled elsewhere (like Scotland) to be labeled ‘Japanese’ if it is bottled there. In this case, source state this is a blend of malt whisky from Scotland, which Helios rested in their own ex-rum casks before bottling. No age statement, and it doesn’t have a lot of complexity.