Style: Caramel-malt and Complex
Nose:
Smoky caramel butterscotch laminated with earthy menthol spice. Naked barley brimming emphatically, strolling down the lane we have orchard fruits contributing some nice sweetness and crispness. Very nice. Farmy peat with a slight touch of mineral and ink. Tobacco leaves, apricots and strawberry jam towards the end.
Palate:
Starts with more butterscotch, egg pudding and menthol tobacco leaves on the palate. Caramel sauce drizzling on poppy seed pancakes sided with honeycomb, switching to the fruity side we have gooseberries, orange blossoms and lemon myrtle infused with malt syrup. Peat smoke gently stoking the core, popcorn notes and peppermint to finish. Very good.
Finish:
Barley soaking in caramel sauce, menthol and earthy tone connecting to the fruity notes.
Thoughts:
A distillate-driven, delicious and punchy Yoichi. Even without many years under its belt, every facet of the expression is beautifully optimized and integrated, the vibrant caramel-barley core carries and unlock all the layers within, so well-balanced and complex. Great stuff, close to 2 stars.
☆ [Recommended]
[57% / Original Bottling / No Age Statement / Limited Edition / Circa 2010 Bottled / Cask Strength / T+]
-Esmond
WhiskNick 