Sensei Japanese Whiskey

I was eyeing the two bottles of “Japanese whisky” (I’m admittedly not up to speed in the new guidelines) of which this was one. The other was Suntori Toki, which is fine for what it is. The bartender seemed curious at my puzzled expression and poured me a “sample” that was likely around 1oz. I couldn’t finish it ☹️ The nose reminded me of isopropyl alcohol - not ethanol but more rubbing alcohol quality. There was a bit of cereal grain and a flash of fruit toward the finish but this was basically thin, grain alcohol with little wood influence. Avoid at all costs.

A very pleasant drink...nothing that will change your world, but it's enjoyable all the way through. Vanilla, coconut and grass on the nose. That flavor profile carries through on the taste, with a light start, an uptick of vanilla and grass in the middle, and then a kick of pepper at the end. Doesn't stay with you for a long time, but enjoyable throughout. This was my first venture into Japanese whiskey, and there's certainly enough here to get me to check out others down the road. For less than $30, it's a good bottle to have as an everyday drinker.

Nose is heavy Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol) with a little sour wood smell at the end. The harshness on the nose is diluted when watered or iced (tried both) but the sourness of this spirit does not abate. The oak can be tasted but it is covered by an odd sour taste that one might charitably regard as funk but not done well. When Iced there is a bit of smoke that comes through but it does little to help the flavor. Avoid at $20 dollars, you have better options even at that price, much less the $40 msrp.

The first Japanese whiskey I've tasted. In a good way, it is fragile: crisp, light, and sweet. Yet the alcohol flavor and taste that might come through in such a mellow whiskey doesn't come forward but instead settles in, content to be in the mix. As my inaugural Japanese whiskey, I am happy with it, and look forward to more such whiskeys on my shelf.

Honestly, I rolled the dice and it’s not the worst I’ve ever done. It’s pretty astringent on the nose, but a drop of water clears that up a bit. Pretty sweet, reminds me of Old Crow bourbon. I won’t buy this one again, but it’s not as bad as these apparent Basil Hayden drinkers say it is. It’s just not a nice whiskey and that’s okay.

Tasted like flower flavored rubbing alcohol. Best thing about it is the remnants of the Laphroaig 10 that I didn’t rinse out of the glass. Might literally dump the bottle out otherwise it will sit on my bar until I can trick friends into finishing the bottle over the next few decades. Good thing I got it for free!