Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt (Discontinued)

This is a very interesting Japanese scotch. I typically associate Japanese scotch with light fruity and floral notes but this one NAS Taketsuru goes in a different direction. I get dark umami, light soysauce, toffee notes. I enjoyed it but it is not an everyday drinker for me.

Simple - vanilla and dried fruit!

Fairly simple - vanilla and dried fruit!

While drinking Taketsuru I could have not resist a feeling that I have had already tried it before. And, yes, to my taste there are some definite structural similarities to Mortlach, notably and eminently the 12 y.o., but the Japanese doesn't quite match the Scot's intensity and vigor. This might have been an advantage since I found Mortlach a bit insolent in a way, but here it seems to be a weak point cause it lacks a certain character. The aroma is very well balanced and nice, really sweet, rum-alike, peaty, with notes of brown cane sugar, honey nut treat (shout outs to Skyrim), candied berries, caramel, red fruits, dulce de leche, molasses, maple syrup and milk chocolate. The taste is spiced, savoury, a bit spirituous, with nuts and brown sugar again; also some raisins, dates, peaches and figs appear through the tasting, though the general structure stays a bit thin and watery yet viscous enough. The finish is spicy like a hot chili sauce, really malty, with tones of walnuts and almonds. I can't really call this one a disappointment (despite paying a hell of a price for such a youngster), but I must admit that my expectations do not match the reality I face. I really liked the label, and the bottle and its contents, but since it is a gift from my ex-girlfriend (though she was an actual gf when presenting it) and that makes me feel kinda uncomfortable I wouldn't consider giving this whisky any extra points. (This sounds obviously subjective and even lame but, to make it clear, I just use this moot excuse to justify my score).

Has a pretty fumey nose, thick body, with a juicy, fruity palate. Hint of nuttiness, full flavor, and slight peat. Tastes like a scotch, and its fairly classic.