Tastes

Nose: Not a whole lot on the nose for me. Mostly just the standard oaky sweetness. There is slight ash and orange peel note present. Palate: First thing I get is Dark Chocolate with bits of orange. A soft malty mouthfeel as well as milk coffee with an ashy tint note follows. There is also slight floral bitterness towards the back end but not overpowering at all. Finish: Somewhat quick but enjoyable with very little bite. It is bit sharp but does round out with again more dark chocolate and toffee notes. There is some slight dark burnt toast bitterness as well. Medium oak and ash is what lifts off last. =================================== Conclusion: This is an absolute buy at ¥4100 ($40). I really like it! Its not the best malt in the world but damn for that price it’s balanced and mellow enough to enjoy neat or in a highball. There is also enough complexity there to keep me interested.

Nose: Fantastic! Strong vanilla w/ a light smoke. Almost a light burnt leather with crisp toffee and coffee bean. Palate: For being 55% it is very gentle. I got very little initial alcohol burn at all! It is smoky but not overwhelmingly so, gives room to a hot caramel and dark chocolate note. Of course my favorite part of all this was the welcome vanilla spice note that is present for the whole sip. A light smoke makes its self known as well. Finish: Hot but sweet. Unfortunately short to me; left me wishing for more as it gently lifted off the tongue. Leaving behind almost a melted vanilla ice cream taste. Maybe...marshmallow and wood spice. Conclusion: I really enjoyed it! Going down as possibly one of my favorites from Nikka. At about $65 retail if you can find this guy it’s a worth purchase! On secondary I think for this one I’d pay up to $100. Anything past that and it would depend if I had any spares left or not 🤔😜 Cheers all🥃

Nose: Smoked meats, Blue Cheese, and vanillas is what is most present. A wisp of sea air and brine also appear. As I dig deeper I get the sweeter notes. Honey and...do I smell Dark Chocolate pound cake?? Heavy peat and earth finish it off. Palate: Dark and earthy! Peat is front and center but it is soft and rounded for only being 5 years old. There is also espresso, coffee bean and a slight brine (not at all overpowering). As you leave it on the tongue burnt toast, leather, and dirt notes make themselves known. Not much sweetness to be found here. Finish: It is somewhat short and edgy. There is mostly Earthy Heavy Peat, Smoke, Salted meats and charred oak. On the back end vanillas pop up along with a short burst of bitter dark chocolate fudge. Conclusion: Very nice and full of that Rich,Dark,Peaty flavor that I love from Octomore! Definitely recommend a try if you can find it! I do look forward to trying some Wine cask finish releases soon.

Nose: ⠀ ⠀ Wet hay, Lemon peel, Citrus, Fresh, Clean malt, Slight ethenol bite, Green tea⠀ ⠀ *** with three Teaspoons of water Added***⠀ ⠀ Palate: ⠀ Sweet soft vanilla, malt Sugars, very fresh lemon peel citrus and grassy elements, it is edgy but clean with only a slight spike note. I will say, I feel this is very malt forward and distillate focused. The cask feels present but not overpowering. Slightly sour but not unwelcome to balance off the initial sweetness. ⠀ ⠀ Finish: ⠀ Light oak tannin but very good all spice and nutmeg come up. Lemon peel comes back as well. A lingering sweet oak and sugars arrive. I get almost a quick Burst of cotton candy.⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Conclusion:⠀ A very enjoyable dram. It has no tricks and it doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. It is honest and malt forward using the casks I feel as a welcome companion to enhance not overbear. I will say it does improve with some time open. I highly suggest this to anyone who may come across it. Cheers🥃

Nose: Dark plumb and black berry jam, Apple cinnamon, Maple, Dark and sweet funk. Palate: Thick, Oily, Almost “sticky”, raisin, Rich dark fruits (apricot, grape, over-ripe strawberry) and honey. As the fruit subsides it gives way to a welcome balance of oak char and clove spice. There is a distinct cinnamon and earth note that pops up near the back end. Finish: Dark sweet fig that turns into a dry red wine note. Bitter grape, does coat the tongue well, long finish, ripe red apple, oak tannin Conclusion: A super delicious Sherry bomb full of fruit, spice and everything nice! I love Edradour and this single cask did not change that. A must try or buy if you can find it!

Nose: A boozy spiced cinnamon and ripe red apple. Reminds me of the autumn season; very crisp and orchard like. An earthy smoke. A slight sourness and peppery note. Palate: Sweet and sour! Again very red apple and a spicy Christmas like note. The wine/port influence is felt. Slightly woody and dry forward of the middle palate. Citrusy orange peel is accompanied by a very gentle smoke. Not nearly as much as I’m used to from a Talisker. Does taste crisp and more so on the younger side (not entirely a bad thing and to be expected). Dark earthy notes throughout Finish: Short to medium finish. It’s sweet but more on the dry side. Does have a very ripe fruit juice and cocktail taste to it. The smoke that lingers is not strong to me at all. Red fruit and wood sultanas are what stay with me the most. The wine sourness is there throughout.

Nose: Delicately fresh and lightly sweetened. There is honey, cinnamon and crisp green raisin. A slight wet hay note appears that gives way to a citrusy lemon peel. Palate: At first there is a quick sherry note present but it quickly fades giving way to a more “bourbon-ish” taste. Oaky tannin, dark clove, and barley sugars are found. Crisp and slightly bitter. It is not super complex but does seem well married together. Bitter note may be coming from the younger Mizunara aged malt. Back palate presents more Dark oak and clove spice with ginger and a light green tea note. Finish: Medium in length. More on the dry side but not unpleasant. There is oak, cinnamon and a dark spice note with a hint of mint. Conclusion: It was enjoyable! Not super complex as I said but well put together and a good example of what Ichiro may be doing right. I do feel unless you can find this at retail that over $100 for this would be a bit to much for me. However, I hope to try other bottlings in the future!

Nose: Lots of floral and Oak Sweetness for me followed by the slightest hint of smoke. Palate: At first very grainy and a bit harsh on the Oak notes; I allowed it to sit and added three drops of water. After,it opens up nicely presenting sweet vanilla, light black pepper, oak, and a smoky element. Finish: A tad bit harsh and dry, lots of dry oak and leather that lingers for a bit. Also a slight dusty cherry and vanilla Conclusion: A nice all rounder and for about $25 at 51% AbV packing a full flavor. It’s not overly complex but it’s a Big Bang for your buck that’s enjoyable sipped.

Nose: Dark and floral, slight orange peel and citrus, light oak spice. Palate: Lots of floral and slight oak/earthy notes. A Delicate and light sweetness is present. Followed by clove and cinnamon spice. Red apple, plumb and other lighter red fruits. Finish: More on the dry side but sticks around. Lingering notes of bitter cocoa,coffee beans and softer leather oak spice again. Burst of sweet dry bright fruit towards the end. For the price I rather have Hakushu 12

Nose: Orange peel and heavy spice, Slight spearmint, Fresh oak, Ripe cherry, Dusty earth/leather, medicinal bitters. Palate: Orange, Vanilla and Mint, Heavy on the rye spice, Slight astringent (but not altogether unwelcome) oak and ethanol notes, rounded and not really “spikey” at all. Near the end there is some fresh prune type fruit and honey notes. Along with the classic cinnamon and dark caramel. Finish: Spice and long oaky finish. Lifts off with a slight mint note. Slight old leather and woodshed. Maybe also..peanut shell? Conclusion: Very enjoyable and defiantly a nice sit and think sipper. If you find for MSRP I recommend