Review

Kura The Whisky Pure Malt Japanese Rum Barrel Finish

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Kura The Whisky Pure Malt Japanese Rum Barrel Finish

40% ABV
$50 – $60
Website
Kura The Whisky Pure Malt Japanese Rum Barrel Finish

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.

Rating: Stands Out

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Kurayoshi 12 Yr Pure Malt Whisky

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review / ,

The Kurayoshi Malt Whisky Aged 12 Years
Japanese Matsui Whisky

46% ABV
$100 – $110
Website
Kurayoshi 12 yr Malt Whisky

What the Distillery Says

Matsui pure malt whisky [Kurayoshi 12 Years]
The aroma of nuts and almonds is followed by a rich malty texture, with hints of vanilla and raisins, accompanied by a faint smoky flavor in perfect balance with the sweetness, bitterness and acidity of this vintage.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Subtle dark fruits with kiwi and pears, almond cookies, caramel, honey, a hint of peat, smoke, and minerals.
Palate:  Nutty caramel with vanilla, a sharp pepper bite followed by an earthy, herbal, mineral note with light fruit.
Finish:  Moderate in length with a mineral, peppery note and roasted nuts.
Comments:  This is the 2nd sample from our Flaviar tasting box. Again, very subtle – although this has a sharpness on the palate that was a bit of a surprise (although not necessarily in a good way). A bit of water tamps that a bit, but didn’t really open it up or add anything. While it isn’t objectionable, if I’d paid retail, I would be very disappointed..

Rating: Probably Pass/Average

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Nikka Days Blended Whisky

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Nikka Days
Japanese Blended Whisky

40% ABV
$50 – $60
Website
Nikka Days Blended Whisky

What the Distillery Says

Nikka has always been at the crossroads of cultures, between the East and the West, Nature and Human, Tradition and Innovation. Each day is a new journey which continuously learn from previous ones. Nikka Days, the latest creation of the brand, is a shining example of this state of mind.
A subtle blend of grain and malt whiskies. Creamy and smooth, fruity and floral, this whisky will please amateurs and connoisseurs.

COLOR: Light golden hue.
NOSE: Fresh and fruity. White flowers, orange blossoms, pear and citrus.
PALATE: Light and smooth. Cereals, malt, toffee, roasted nuts and vanilla.
FINISH: Dry apricot, malt, vanilla, elusive peat.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Soft and subtle, caramel, toffee with subtle notes of pear and peach.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, sweet with grain, malt, a touch of vanilla followed by a slight chili pepper bite, notes of orange near the end.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length with vanilla and grain.
Comments:  Earlier this year as part of my Flaviar membership I selected a tasting box (The Land Of The Rising Whisky) as I have enjoyed drams of Japanese whisky with friends, but have never reviewed nor spent quality time with them. This was the first of three samples from that box. This comes across as pretty young, and just uninspiring. It is ‘bright’, but incredibly subtle. I can appreciate a subtle, nuanced whisk(e)y but this I find is like work to try to coax much from it other than the grain notes.

Rating: Average

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Finest Irish Single Malt 22 Years

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Finest Irish Single Malt 22 Years

51.8% ABV
$200
Website
Finest Irish Single Malt 22 Yrs

What the Bottler Says

Retro Label The Whisky Exchange Exclusive
Launched at The Whisky Show in 2015, this is a hugely fruity single malt whiskey from Ireland. It doesn’t stop there, with Gummi Bears followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and deep herbal notes – a complex whiskey that was a huge hit at the show.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Heather, hay, peat, malt, glazed donut, honey, hint of grapefruit and menthol with earthy/mineral undertones.
Palate:  Creamy sweetness with honey, vanilla, sponge cake, bright peat, subtle citrus notes, slightly nutty with hints of vitamins.
Finish:  Moderately long, wet with honey and peat.
Comments:  Unfortunately the label doesn’t include many details (name, proof, age – that’s it). In scouring the internet, this is likely Cooley distillate based on the flavor profile & age (keeping in mind that the number of Irish single malt distillers that COULD have made this is a very small number!) It is nicely balanced between the sweetness you’d expect from an Irish single malt and the unexpected peat notes. Some water kicks the honey up a notch and tamps the menthol (another note I don’t get often). The vitamin/mineral notes remind me of Dickel in a way (which isn’t to say this tastes like Dickel – it doesn’t; but that vitamin/mineral note is part of what I’d call their “house style”).

Rating: Stands Out

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The Exclusive Blend 1994 – 20 Years

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

The Exclusive Blend 1994 – 20 Years
Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

50% ABV
$100
The Exclusive Blend 1994 20 Years

What the Bottle Says

Distilled in 1994 / Aged in oak casks for over 20 Years
Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Natural colour and without chill filtration for a more flavourful whisky

The finest Highland and Speyside Scotch Malt Whiskies all distilled in 1994, blended together and married in first fill ex-Sherry oak casks.

Matured exclusively in ex-Sherry butts from Jerez, Spain, this blend of the finest malt whiskies is full of rich chocolate, fruit salad and sweet oak. Expect a long, oily and fruit-laden finish.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Soft sherry, dark fruit, vanilla, chocolate, floral, subtle smoke, oak, herbal savory notes of grilled meat.
Palate:  Rich, sweet, fruity with plums, figs, blood orange and cherries, pepper bite with baking spices of nutmeg and clove.
Finish:  Moderately long and drying with cherries and spices.
Comments:  This is from independent bottler The Creative Whisky Co (who unfortunately was purchased a couple of years back apparently for their assets). A very nicely balanced dram. Fruity and spicy, although a tad sharp. Takes water well which opens up the floral notes but keeps a nice rich mouthfeel.

Rating: Stands Out

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