I had a Kurayoshi tasting night, and i had the Sherry Cask, the 12yo and the 18yo. Got to say this one was the loser on that night, because even if it is not a bad whisky, it is not something you will remember.
Actually Kurayoshi is a blended malt (pure malt in japan) from scottish and japanese whiskies, from the Matsui distillery.
Bottled at 43%abv
On the nose, it is an speyside whisky doppelganger with a little earthy note (which i found in every Kurayoshi).full Citric notes. Toffee. Grapefruit, Strong alcohol note; passion fruit. Earthy and Citric. Raw rice and Floral notes like a cheap Air freshener from a Taxi (a cab).
On the palate, too straightforward, but nice i guess. Dulce de leche (toffee), citric and pepper.
Aftertaste is intersting. Earthy like mud. Ginger. Very dry.
Overall this is a whisky that is not bad, but lacks emotion. I guess that it's intention is to compete with other 12 year old whiskies out there (which might be the whiskies top competition) and for that purpose, it is a good offer. 77 over 100.