Togouchi 12 Year

A spicier and drier, more austere offering than the Kiwami/ Premium version (Kiwami and Premium being pretty much identical), the aging pushes forth the bitter sherry and the fruity fine cask, regrettably, the delicate balance between the Canadian grain and the Scottish malt is lost, the sweetness and freshness that the French and Spanish oak had to offer is also abesnt. It feels unusual to say this, but I recommend the NAS version over this one.

An intense, 12-year-old Japanese blended whisky, produced by Chugoku Jozo for the Togouchi range, who age their whiskies in a tunnel. It has a birth with notes of Meyer lemon, green apple, & a hint of smoke; while a balanced life adds notes of apple & pears, with citrus zest, oak & all spice; that led to gentle death adds an earthy note with more citrus tang & a whiff of vanilla. October 2017 / September 2018 / January 2019 / August 2022

If I had to summarize my opinion in one sentence: it could have been worse. For a whisky that is predominantly grains, I was surprised by the predominant malty note, with a certain herbaceousness and faint peat to the palate. There isn't really much here, and the lack of any offputting elements means this would probably work well in a highball. It's alright.

What difference does 12 years make? None in this case. No big differences from the young version. A bit more herbaceous.

Not very complex but good. Flavor lingers on tongue.

Leathery but rather flat … yet easy drinker