After airing for some minutes: aromas of vanilla, banana, Nilla wafers with a touch of coconut, and pineapple dipped in alcohol, rise from the glass. The palate is likewise fruity with a dry finish of rafter oak. The initial mouthfeel resembles a scotch up to mid-palate, but then followed by a dry finish often found in higher-ABV bourbons. A 60/40 ratio for a very hearty mouthfeel, nonetheless. The flavor likewise is very much in the scotch court, but the complexity also reminds me of a well done Irish whiskey. The Mizunara oak maturation certainly imparts a unique flavor profile. This is Japanese whisky done right. At a price point of $60-75, however, this NAS faces strong competition –- and it can be polarizing. To be honest, I agree with Ben from Whisky.com. You pay a premium for J-whisky because of the quality they ensure with their near-religious control of production amid a stock shortage. This, however, is just such a tasty dram. Thank you @JonWilkinson7309, as always, for the sample. I may have discovered my first J-whisky purchase. My Rating Glossary: Two Stars: "I'd rather be drinking lite beer." Two 1/2 Stars: "Posh rubbish." Three Stars: "I love whisk(e)y. This is average love." Three 1/2 Stars: "May buy again." Four Stars: "I've got to get you into my life." Four 1/2 Stars: "Better than drugs." Five Stars: "Life is good. Whisky makes it better."