Continuing on with the bonus samples from the SDT, here we have a Japanese rice whisky. Ohishi Single Sherry Cask. A NAS bottled at 42.3% ABV, is non chill filtered and natural color of dark copper. Warm sherry on the nose. I am more reminded of a sherried cognac than a malt whisky (though it is obviously neither). Raisins, very floral, some oak and hay. A vague nuttiness, plenty of toffee, vanilla and butterscotch. Candied apples, rice wine and more sherry. The more I nose it the more it feels like a whisky and less like a cognac. Very nice, warm and comforting. Like the nose, the palate is more cognac than malt, though at times that feeling is reversed. Sherry, pancake syrup, berries, nutty. Butterscotch, faintly reminiscent of a Canadian style whisky. Vanilla, floral, cherries. Very much a cool fall afternoon dram, when the leaves are falling and the air is crisp, but not yet cold. A medium to light bodied mouthfeel that is creamy and mouth coating. The finish is long with sherry, cherries, brown sugar and raisins. My first rice whisky was a wonderful experience. A better mouthfeel and a stronger intensity of flavors on the palate would have truly made this spectacular rather than “merely” great. At $70-80 this is a no brainer and if I see a bottle I intend to buy it. One to sit and ponder or to get lost in its warmth. 4.25 and a big thanks to @PBMichiganWolverine for the sample. Cheers