Tastes

Nose: Sweet, raisins from the Sherry casks Taste: Lots of American Oak with moderate peat and some sweetness. Finish: long finish with spice, peat and oak. Just a lovely, balanced whiskey. #8 of 2023 Japanese Whiskey Advent Calendar

Nose: Peat and herbatious (mint?). Taste: Ash, cigarettes, leather. Little depth. Bitter and somewhat astringent. Finish: More ash. Peaty advent calendar #7 2022.

A pleasant surprise! Nose: Sweet (vanilla) and sour (grain and funk) Palette: Begins delicate and sweet (vanilla). I haven’t been able to tell what type of barrels they use. I wondered if they use a bit of Mizunara, but they would probably say so if they did. The initial taste is eventually largely dominated by peat and spice. Finish: Peat lingers for a long, warm finish. Though this blends whiskeys up to 12 years old, it tasted a bit young. Still, for the price, I’d be interested I getting a bottle. However, I’d be interested in trying the Hatozaki Small Batch given the small price increase and the fact it explicitly lists Mizunara. #7 Japanese advent calendar 2022

Lots of oak (honey and vanilla), something minty or herbaceous with a pleasant surprise of rising peat that lingers on the finish. I’m getting American oak and little Mizunara. #6 of Japanese advent calendar.

An intriguing dram. As if they tightened the aperture of an Ardbeg. More intense peat on the palette but without the breadth of an Ardbeg. Similar profile of peat, smoke and anise. Perhaps weaker on the nose but stronger on the finish. Day 6 (or so) of peaty advent calendar 2022.

Nose: Agave/tequila Palette: oak, pineapple, cream Finish: Peppery spice Perhaps a bit young but an interesting dram to unpack! #5 2022 Japanese Advent calendar

2021 release: Moderate peat and lovely honey on the palette. Pepper and medicinal finish. Not a lot of depth but the honey note makes this an enjoyable dram. Peaty advent calendar 2022 #5 (or so!)

Lots of oak with a little smoke and mint. #4 in 2022 Japanese Advent Calendar.