Hakushu 25 Year

Brilliant stuff. Has such gentle smoke with green fruit, tropical fruit, nutty, and sherry influence. Nose: Vanilla, Pears, Mangoes, Papayas, Smoke, Salted Caramel, Raisins, Plums, Honey, Butterscotch, Grapefruit, Figs, Marshmallows, Sandalwood, Sakura, Leather, Pecans, Pineapples Palate: Smoke, Apricots, Melons, Figs, Dates, Green Apples, Vanilla, Dark Chocolate, Walnuts, Almonds, Sakura, Roses, Haagen Dazs White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Ice Cream, Raisins, Pears Finish: Marzipan, Raisins, Dark Chocolate, Smoke, Butterscotch, Vanilla, Peaches, Honey, Papayas, Marshmallows, Figs, Raisins, Prunes, Hazelnuts, Cranberries

Crisp apple and slight amounts of phenolic and Smokey pear. Adding some water and waiting 25-35 minutes let’s the nose become richer (more honey and rich apple pie notes - think to the malt mash at the hakushu distillery, it’s right there). It’s extremely soft and delicate throughout especially after waiting and adding water. Again wish I had a bottle of this - had this at the Yamazaki and hakushu distillery for 2900yen per shot.

Nose - Toasted black tea, herbal, dark caramelized sugars, mint toffee, caramelized hazelnuts. Taste - Black pepper spice, very light oaky peat, herbal spicy mint, dark toffee, lightly bitter dark chocolate. Finish - Herbal sweetness, toasted sweet hazelnuts/chestnuts with charred skins, hint of dark chocolate lingers. Score - 91/100

n:toffee, apple p: mature fruity sweetness, mild acholic taste, floral taste?, very smooth f: long, oaky, very smooth, fruity sweetness overall: excellent sweet smooth whisky with some unknown foral, soapy taste?

Nose: smoke, marshmallow, white rabbit milk candy, ripened red apple, bouquet of fresh flowers Taste: vanilla custard, lavender, herbs, mild spice Finish: long, slightly smoky

I was lucky enough to try this and... wow. Delicious sherry notes and wood smoke. So well rounded and long lasting. This is truly a wonderful whisky. I wish I could own one!