Tastes

Purchased in Hong Kong. limited edition bottled at 48% proof with a post restart Single Malt Komagatake blend aged at least three years in bourbon and American white oak casks. Very pleasant nose with bananas, pear and fruit. These notes follow through in the taste with added vanilla and some light peat on the finish.

Very drinkable, lightly peated Islay. A sweet candied and sherry taste with a strong finish and the slight undercurrent of peat. The higher cask strength provides a good body and some complexity.

A slightly off-putting acrid compost aroma, without any redeeming sweetness. When neat there is an alcohol burn even though only 43% proof. With a little water and time it gets smoother with some oak, vanilla and light toffee. Can’t taste much influence from the sherry or bourbon casks. The acrid notes return on the after taste.

Smokey but sweet nose. Even at cask strength it is very drinkable with the sweetness cutting through the alcohol. With a little water the dried fruits comes through in the nose and on the palate. Although heavily peated the smokiness is in the background.

Faint vanilla and honey on the nose. Honeyed caramel that lingers with a syrupy aftertaste and a hint of smoke. A favorite smooth drinking scotch with more body and complexity than lighter Speysides.

Sherry nose with little smoke in the glass. Sweet caramel and sherry initial taste but doesn’t linger and gives way quickly to a drying finish and smoky after taste.