Tastes

NOSE: Brine and charred wood. Hints of toffee and vanilla. Some lemon peel. PALATE: Spicy candied ginger. Lime zest. Chili finish.

Overall one of the best whiskeys I’ve ever tried. Hibiki has found a way to balance complexity and intensity of flavors while keeping the result enjoyable and approachable. A masterstroke of blending. Nose: soft aromatic oak, peach, vanilla custard Palate: vanilla, baked apples, cinnamon, nutmeg Finish: milk chocolate, candied ginger

NOSE: orange marmalade, orange peel, apple cider vinegar, damp leaves, leather varnish, gentle peat smoke PALATE: orange marmalade, (very) spicy candied ginger, clove, dry dark chocolate

NOSE: Pretty simple. Mostly bitter orange marmalade. Something malty/toasty in the background. PALATE: Absolutely delicious, one of the best tasting whiskeys. Great balance between sweet honey and salty barley. Finish is vanilla custard.

NOSE: Candied orange is the main note. There’s a layer of vanilla and oak behind it. Around the edges there are traces of brine, butter, and a slight peat smoke. PALATE: It’s caramel pudding or flan, with a gentle punch of spicy cinnamon and ginger. Finish is slightly minty and dry. OVERALL: Absolute classic. In one sip you get the full landscape of Scottish whisky: malt, sherry, and grain notes. Highly underrated and in my view a must try. I personally prefer it to Blue Label. Will probably always have on my shelf.

OVERALL: Surprisingly good. Only one of the classic 12yo blends that is nice to drink neat. NOSE: Fresh green apples are prominent. It’s got some heat for 40%. Plenty of malt and some bitter nuts. Hints of peat smoke. It’s not bad at all. PALATE: Sweet caramel, some kick, more caramel, stewed apples and pears, cinnamon and clove on the finish. Tastes really great honestly. Finish is quick but balance is great.