Matsui Peated

N: Smoke bomb at first, but it softens over time. The smoke definitely has a peat funk to it, but with the softening it turns toward more of a wood smoke - like being down wind from someone else's campfire. Pronounced fishiness lands at dried, smoked fish - interesting. Brings back memories of drinking Russian beer and eating dried, smoked sardines with a Russian girl I once knew. Good memories. Citrus fruit, lemon cake, and other juicy fruits round it out. P: It's the smoked fish first—salty now, of course—but then a nice round caramel flavor fills in the sharper edges. Very juicy and sweet, like fruit candy or even fruit syrups. Vanilla softens the sweetness a bit. At some point you realize the smoke separated from the fish and now everything is just nicely, lightly smoked. Yellow cake sits underneath all of it (also smoked, obviously). Finish is all baking spice - maybe some clove, maybe some dried, ground ginger, little bit of cinnamon for sure. Heat level is medium, but can build if you drink quick. The yellow cake lingers through the finish giving it a nice balance and some extra character. This is crazy interesting, but, at the same time, I don't love it. I've had no problem finishing the bottle, but have a hard time imagining going through another. I also could see myself having a random craving for it in six months. Who knows?

Unremarkable. The Mizunara and Sakura are much more flavorful and enjoyable. Yes, there's peat there but not enough for me to say "peaty" or "smoky". This is a good pour to convert someone from "I hate peat". It is mildly fruity and mildly sweet.

Nosing: lightly peated sweetness Flavour: very peppery and young whisky notes. But complexness in the whisky and it hits all notes of spicy, lightly salty, sweet, Finish: light peatiness

If you like Islay style, Talisker Storm, something like that, this smoky drink is for you. Not me.

Smooth with a very mild moth feel. The nose and taste are less pronounced than I had hoped

Smells and tastes like an auto shop (gasoline and old tires).