Tastes

Togouchi Blended ABV: 40% (80 proof) Provenance: Japan, Hiroshima (Blend from Scotch and Canadian whiskey - % N/A) Mashbill: Blend of grain and malt from (% N/A) Age Statement: N/A Casks: Ex-Bourbon and Ex-Islay (Rumoured) On the nose, this whiskey doesn’t give out much. There is a hint a smoke, a floral note and a sweet kind of vanilla note but it is fairly nondescript. The main note is malt. Beyond surface level notes that are already fairly weak, there isn’t much going on. On the palate, the floral note is there in a more prominent manner and the smoke carries through fairly well. There’s again a bit of vanilla. Apart from that, not much. The finish is short and fairly unremarkable. Overall, I think this whiskey is way too young. With Japanese whiskey regulations being relatively loose, it’s hard to know what you’re actually drinking. It’s possible that most of what is inside this bottle is not even whiskey made in Japan, but rather in Scotland and America, and only aged in Japan. I’m disappointed with this bottled, to say the least. I’ll just drink water instead of this one, it’s pretty much the same flavours unfortunately.

Redbreast 12 ABV: 40% Provenance: Ireland, Clonmult Mashbill : 100% malted and unmalted barley (% N/A) Age Statement: 12 years Casks: Ex-Bourbon and Ex-Olorosso Sherry Other information: Triple Distilled in Copper Pot Still On the nose, there is an immediate note of potent green apple as well as butter cookies. There is a hint of roasted nuts and honey cheerios as well as darker fruits like plums and raisins in the background. There is a ton of vanilla as well as a light oaky note. This nose is very light but at the same time extremely potent. It’s soft but the notes just keep coming. I sometimes get a certain floral note, but not always. The complexity is impressive. However after a few sips, darker notes start to appear. Those are mainly leather as well as pepper. The lighter notes are still there, but they become blurrier. On the palate, there is even more honey cheerios as well as butter cookies. There is still a green apple as well a dark red fruits. Tons of vanilla as well as oak tannins take over towards the back end. For an 80 proof whiskey, the mouth feel is surprisingly viscous. It honestly feels like someone spiked the glass with a few drops of simple syrup. The palate is less complex than the nose but it is still as enjoyable. The finish is somewhat short, but the oak tannins tingle the back of the tongue for a few seconds after swallowing. You are then left with a few more seconds of vanilla as well as a delightful french toast note. Overall, this whiskey is really impressive. The complexity of the nose alone is worth the price in my opinion. The palate as well as the great mouthfeel for a 40% are just bonuses at this point. What a wonderful experience. If you wish to get into Irish or even just copper pot stills, this is the way to go.