Suntory Old Whisky

Don't you just love when you don't expect anything from a whisky, and when you taste it, it really is a great expression that leaves you with a happy feeling? Well, tasting a Suntory Old can give you one of those nice moments. Suntory Old Whisky is one of this brand's most renowned blended expressions and has been around for a long time, specially from 1940 to the late 1980s where it started to dissapear from the shelves. This one has the most quantity of different looking labels i have ever seen in a whisky (even more than Johnnie Walker Black Label), and it seems like one of those drams that only an older generation tried, praised and now has been forgotten. Bottled at 43%abv, burnished gold color. On the nose, quite surprising. Vanilla and Chocolate. Pears and Apples. Everything normal so far. Oranges rise after a minute and then maize. Almonds. After a first sip it gave me a beautiful melon note, feels velvety. Very mineral and "Rocky". On the palate it is creamy, fruity and very easy drinkable. Apple pie, sawdust, mild pepper, melon. After one sip, it became more "mainstream" with toffee, caramel and vanilla notes. Very nice though. Aftertaste is a little crazy, which in this case makes it interesting. My first impression was that i was licking the glue of an envelope to seal it. Raw rice, salty in a pleasant very well delivered way and a ghostly sulphuric note. Overall, this one was very cool to drink. I thought i was going to find a raw, young, harsh dram, but it was nothing like that. Very fruity and sweet, super easy to drink and enjoyable, this whisky is one that i will remember. My score for it is a well deserved 88 over 100. Kanpai!

Japanese whisky is gaining popularity, and Suntory Old has been one of the major exports since the 1950. It is allegedly a blend of Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita, and is presented at 43% ABV. There is no age statement, and the color looks artificial - a typical consumer-friendly yellow gold. I think it is a safe bet that it is chill-filtered as well. Nose is floral, delicate, with faint vanilla, somewhat perfumed. The palate is shallow, with sweet caramel, raisins, and a touch of oak. Finish is quite short, floral, yet with a hint of bitterness, and with some vanilla and oaky notes. This is quite basic overall, with nothing that stands out, yet the balance is not too bad and this is quite drinkable. A touch of water makes this sweeter, but there’s not much else going on here. Perhaps finish becomes a bit less bitter. Overall, this dram is what beginners would call “smooth”. There’s not much complexity to it, and it is pretty basic, but it’s not off putting in any way. Probably great in highballs and cocktails.

Aroma: pleasantly aromatic, perfume like, moderate floral note of maybe rose and/or carnations, darker fruit notes, dried fruits, berry, possibly a sherry note, lightest hint of honey and a buttery note. Taste: sweetness of dark sugar and with a fruity quality, peppery spicy note (white pepper?) comes through next and strong, oak spices, mild herbal grassy note, a possibly a hint of a peaty note on the finish. Spicy notes linger on the finish. Very much scotch like. I would imagine this is a blend, but for a mid level budget Japanese whisky, this is quite good. Well done for the price. One worth checking out on the Japanese whisky trail if you can find it.

By trying to recollect my memories of this whisky the first thing that appears in my mind is that I described it as a sweeter and a more intense version of the classic blended scotches (Red label, Ballantine’s - the cheapest ones). Strong spiritous and caramel sweet aroma, some citrus obviously. The taste is sweet with caramel and vanilla hints. Nothing remarkable at all, unfortunately.

Gift from my youngest daughter, picked up in the Narita (Tokyo) airport. Label is different, a limited addition, I assume the juice is the same. Fruity and spicy on the nose. Same on the palate with vanilla and honey. Its a bit gritty, oily and coating. Finish is long enough, a bit fiery with fruity, spicy and vanilla notes. This is a fantastic blend!

Sherry aroma. Deep dark flavors. Tastes like some sort of darker fruit, like charries or plums. Perhaps it has a Sherry finish. The sweet leads into a tail that tastes to me medicinal? Deep, rich, and sweet. Honey there too, points for tasting original. great price too.