Tastes

Aroma: pleasantly aromatic, perfume like, moderate floral note of maybe rose and/or carnations, darker fruit notes, dried fruits, berry, possibly a sherry note, lightest hint of honey and a buttery note. Taste: sweetness of dark sugar and with a fruity quality, peppery spicy note (white pepper?) comes through next and strong, oak spices, mild herbal grassy note, a possibly a hint of a peaty note on the finish. Spicy notes linger on the finish. Very much scotch like. I would imagine this is a blend, but for a mid level budget Japanese whisky, this is quite good. Well done for the price. One worth checking out on the Japanese whisky trail if you can find it.

Nose is deep smoke with a salty air quality. Meaty, smoky. A dried fruit note with eventually push through on the backside, lightly sweet. Letting it sit will open it up and let it become more rounded and sweet, dark fruits. A few drops of water will also open it up to the fruity notes and push aside the smokiness. Taste (without water) is heavy smoke, almost pungent, that reminds me of the the smokiness of a great hardwood fire in the wintertime during a good heavy snowfall. Not a sharp smoke but full and slightly rounded, very rich and savory. Meaty, smoky notes are there too. Dark fruit notes. The water will tone down the smokiness slightly and give way to the fruity quality on the frontside but will finish with that peaty smokiness. Lingers well. Recommend the wilder ride without water. It’s just more fun.

Nose has smoke and is bacon-like with an iodine quality (as suggested). Light fruity note that will push through, apples perhaps. A couple drops of water will push things aside some and allow more of the fruity notes through. Taste is a mild pleasant sweet fruit tone and a great medium soft smoke finish that doesn’t punch too hard. The water will push aside the oils and allow the other flavors to come through slightly more like it does with the nose. Aftertaste lingers very nicely and leaves an even smoked spicy note. Very good scotch for those getting into the peaty kinds.

Nose is sweet, toffee and honey notes with apple/pears or fresh fruit, dried fruits. Taste is light and malty, light sweet and fruity, friendly and well balanced. No sharp edges. Candied nuts and hint of smoke that wisps away. Low on the spicy notes but does show up enough from the barrel. Long aftertaste that is pleasant. Great entry level scotch for those new to it.

Nose: honey or honeysuckle, almost brown sugar-like, lightest hint of vanilla, hint of savory nuttiness, then dominates with dried fruits. Together it almost reminds me of amaretto for a moment but very quick. Has that moment of that citrus touch from the original 10 year. Front-forward sherry tone, pleasant spice notes. Taste: dried fruits, a hint of that nuttiness, light candied sweetness, boldness of the sherry but not overpowering, spicy notes with a touch of cocoa or dark chocolate. Taste is very similar to the nose.

Nose is sweet butter with a touch of honey and fresh orchard (green) apple, light floral note. Slight sharp spice note, possible ethanol-like touch but faint. Fragrant but simple. Pleasant, very friendly. Taste is similar to nose. Has a hint of something similar to licorice possibly at the end. Taste does not last long. Overall, not complex at all. VERY much Irish whisky like which is definitely the category I would put it in. Kudos for making a good budget Irish whisky that’s technically not Irish whisky. Simple but enjoyable for a budget. Drinks better than many budget Irish whiskies. Would mix very well. Worth a try for the buck if you are ever in Asia.

Nose is sweet, fruity, fresh apple, pear, and citrus notes, slightly of honey and bubblegum. Taste is soft and rounded, general fruity tone, lightly floral, citrus shows up slightly more. Hint of oaky nuttiness. Finishes almost creamy and doesn’t linger much.

Nose is a fresh, light floral fruit, apple, almost a hint of a citrus-like essence, light vanilla or toffee, cereal grain, oak spice. Taste is virtually the same but with the slightest hint of peat smoke and a quick moment of brine. A moment of sharpness, bitterness but goes away quick enough. Taste certainly does not last long or deliver a heavy punch though. Not complex. Ok but nothing to write home about. Almost weak overall and tastes slightly watered down at times. But for a blend, it’s not horrible.

Instant port wine on the nose the moment you pour. Slight sour-like tang for a moment. Gives way immediately to sweetness, dark fruits, orange or tangerine, spices, dark bittersweet chocolate or cocoa, full aroma. Opens up slightly and the sour-like tang gives way as it sits. Taste is almost candied like but not quite. Tastes generally like the aroma. Finishes with oak spice and gives way to the chocolate notes. Great after dinner Scotch. Water tames aroma and flavor some. Try both ways.