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.