Glendalough 13 Year Mizunara Finish

A bit smoky at first, but I quite enjoyed this one!

Very Asian like with notes of honey, vanilla, caramel, pepper, cherry, apricot, mango, and lots of sandalwood

nose is floral, mellow, corn, ripe red berries, vanilla, maple. Body is super heavy, clean grains, toffee, floral honey. Finish is a rollercoaster, a quick punch of spice, mellows out, and then a gentle warmth. Grapes, very slightly woodsy, slightly minty, tart red berries.

Amazing nose. Think sandalwood incense. Like the Jain temples in India. Very perfume-y, floral, aromatic. Taste is several notches below the aroma. I’m not convinced mizunara + triple distilled works well. I think mizunara needs a heavier stronger spirit to carry it ( like Yamazaki ). Nonetheless, in last night’s tasting at @Richard-ModernDrinking’s, this held its own against better stronger lineups from Michter, Ardbeg, and Octomore. Decent pour, with the nose being worth the price of entry.

The nose is, easily, my favourite part of this, an amazing pine forest smell so reminiscent of bourbon, freshly cut green apples and a little sweetness towards the end. The palate has almost too much going on, savoury and bitter with vanilla, oak, hints of pineapple and coconut. A medium, bitter, oily, spicey finish. Don't shoot me here but I really feel this needs water to tame its harsher qualities.