Really wish this was a permanent/core offering. Makes an incomparable highball and adds a beautiful complexity in a neat pour that is hard to find at this price. Nose: maybe it is just how my night has gone, however the peated Hakushu malt is significantly more pronounced this time around. My only other peated Japanese whiskey reference aside from Hakushu is Yoichi, and this has some comparable characteristics (e.g. coal smoke, notable oceanic salinity). That being said, I am getting the classic Hakushu green apple here. As it's a blend there is obviously a strong grain whisky component too: vanilla, sweet oak, dusty corn. But it's almost in 50/50 balance here with the fruity, peaty Hakushu malt. Palate: sweet vanilla and caramel grain whisky base. A nice bit of green apple crumble. A gentle smoky peat. Finish: short, slight metallic character