Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Karuizawa 1971 Cask 6878 64.1%


There is more and more good quality Japanese whiskies coming on the market these days thanks in many ways to the guys at the Number One Drinks Company I hope that they keep up the good work. This one is an old one at an amazing strength for its age 64.1%


For a good review of the distillery check out the excellent Nonjatta site


Anyway lets try it.


Nose: Big rich sherry nose, warm leather, cinnamon, and a touch of metallic fruits (like when making Jam). There is almost a hint of smoke as well - the alcohol does hit you if you breath in too sharply. Water opens this up a lot and gives more of the smoked cheese note and also a faint hint of a farmyard - but in a good organic kind of way.


Taste: Lots of prickly alcohol, and then smoked cheese and marmalade. At full strength this is hot! Quite a bit of sandalwood. With water it is softer and the smoke becomes a bit more pronounced and more like wood smoke.


Finish: Long and spicy with a touch of incense sticks. Becomes more like clove studded oranges with more cinnamon once water is added.


Comment: What a dram! Not one you would drink a lot of on one sitting but full of character and definately worth seeking out if you can find it!


Score: 90/100


For a superior review check out Dave Brooms and Gavin Smiths

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Excellent site Mr!

Keep up the great work! Im from Scotland and I love those toffee bars!!

:)