[63.6%・21 Years Old・Distilled in 1994・Bottled in 2016・The Number One Drinks Company Bottling・Cask No. 6149・Single Cask Release of 380 Bottles]
Nose:
Quite malty on the nose at first but then the peat cuts in assertively and perhaps somewhat unexpectedly early. Honey, heather and dry herbs follow, in time the dram grows smokier with a distinct dirty diesel note.
Palate & Finish:
The dram leads with big lemony sweetness with a hint of saltiness, some Manuka honey with the malt being quite sturdy and gentle as the peat arrives in a dry, herbal manner. The honey sweetness on the palate sticks on and allows a hint shortbread to develop.
The peat falls softer and softer in the finish and eventually disappears, leaving behind a bitter burnt toast note.
Thoughts:
I suppose if you are a Karuizawa collector, whether or not this is rather noticeably peated matters little, though I do find this to be interesting enough. Quite close to scoring one star..
✓ [Recommended if you like the style/ distillery]
-Nicholas
WhiskNick 