Kurayoshi 8 Year Pure Malt Sherry Cask

This has a more aged smell than the Suntory Toki does, but it has less to it and it's less appealing. There's a bit of fruit on the nose, including some tart apricot. The alcohol does come through on the nose. It smells perfectly fine. The palate is fairly smooth I guess but there definitely is some youthful harshness to it. It tastes like a whiskey for sure, but it tastes on the young side. It's fruity, but the flavors aren't exceptional at all. First impression: although it's richer, the Suntory Toki has somewhat better execution. There isn't a whole lot to the flavor and the alcohol is too pronounced. There's that annoying Irish bitterness in here too. It's drinkable, but it really isn't all that enjoyable. The aftertaste is bitter too. Given the flavor, I was surprised to discover that this is a malt whiskey. I like the richness, but the undertone is not very good. Really, I'd drink this if I had to, but it isn't very good. That bit of sweetness is worth something, but it isn't enough. Sadly, this just gets worse and worse. There isn't much to recommend it.

Nose: Fresh juicy fruits. Strong white grape note hides the typical sherry 'musk'. Notes of reisling, menthol, toffee, vanilla, pound cake. Taste: Mellow on flavor. Nothing really pops out in your face. Warm spice, butterscotch, vanilla, biscuits. Bright fruit and sherry influence appears with water added. Finish: Buttermilk biscuits, warming. Nose presents with a nicely balanced whisky with sherry influence. The taste was a bit lacking, especially in the bright fruit flavors found on the nose, but opened up with a bit of water. Nothing was off-putting but the whisky felt a bit lacking in a really "stand out" flavor.

An elegant, Pure Malt Whisky by the Matsui Shuzo Distillery in Tottori Prefecture, Japan. It is made from a blend of malt from Scotland & Japan; then aged for 8 years in new white oak & finished in first-fill ex-Sherry casks; brought to proof with spring water from Mount Daisen. It has an aromatic birth with notes of rancio, pear & sultanas; while a rich birth with notes of ripe d’anjou pear Eau de Vie, sherry, dried fruits, malt, hints of salinty, vanilla, allspice & oak; that leads to an elegant death of medium length with notes of port & barley. February 2020 / August 2022

Nose: Hmm.. Unlike Macallan or Glendronach, the nosing is quite light for the ABV at 50%. Open up with floral, plum and dates after few minutes breathing. Palate: Fruity with some caramel. Light in sweetness. Easily lingering around the mouth. Bot too strong so just nice. Hint of dark choco at the ending with some bitterness. Finishing: Medium with hint of sherry all the way. Conclusion: Not bad for me. I got it at around 5000 yen. Good for budget dramming. Will bottleshare some to those who never tryout yet.

Let sit for about a minute. 👀 Pure pale Golden goodness, semi-robust legs; 👃 Very sweet like smelling a fruit basket, Vanilla, hint of smoke; 👅 Pure SWEETNESS, lots of fresh fruit, oily; 🏁 Lingers on with sweetness, beautiful finish, typical Japanese whisky.

Very complex on the nose. Reminds me of an Irish smell but not in the taste. Almost could swear it had notes of unmalted barley like Irish. Fruity and heavily sherried just as advertised. Chocolate and has a bit of a bite.