Shinobu 15 Year Pure Malt Mizunara Japanese Oak Finish

The nose is roux and gravy, very savory. Mushrooms and old musty book. Quickly disappears.

Meaning "forbearance" in Japanese, Shinobu is said to symbolize the spirit of a samurai hence the elaborate and intricate designs on each of their whisky labels. Located in the Nigata prefecture of Japan and surrounded by a picturesque environment with a pure water source, locals continuously praise their three white treasures: snow, rice, and sake. Using Mizunara oak, which is native to Japan, Shinobu distillery has transformed and blended this 15 year whisky into a dram that I would attest is worth tasting. Unlike the previous Nikkas and Hibikis I've enjoyed, this Shinobu 15 YO blend is much milder and mutes the heavy fruit notes that I am accustomed to tasting. Rather, it is the cereal grains, nuts, and oak that emerge and appear in the spotlight thanks to the Mizunara influence. At 43%, nosing this whisky was a surprise change and pleasure. On the palate, the notes evolve into citrus and spice, but soon mellow out into a medium finish of tapioca, rice, brown sugar, with a hint of sea salt. Overall, not a bad whisky! I found it interesting how I was able to identify the rice note - also prominently used in sake - which checks off two of three of the aforementioned Nigata's 'white treasures'. NOSE: Plums, raisins, dates, tapioca, oak, nuts, cereal grains, cherries PALATE: Oranges, spices, cinnamon, ginger root, cherries, brown sugar FINISH: Sea salt, oak, tapioca, spices, pepper, rice, brown sugar Rating: 83/100 Grade: B Good – not a “must”, but a nice-to-have.