Nonjatta

Nikka Malt 100 The Anniversary 12-yo

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:28:00 +0000

Whisky type
Pure malt

Review by Nonjatta contributor - Dramtastic:

"Nikka Malt 100 The Anniversary Aged 12 Years. 40 percent alcohol.
Nose: Oak, engine oil, a little dry sherry, orange, cola, caramels.
Palate: A little oily. Cola and caramels. Some rasberry, nutmeg and licorice.
Finish: Short with the flavours of the palate and dying to dry oak.
Rating: 72/100." (Dramtastic's ratings explained.)

Nikka Whisky Grand Age

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:19:00 +0000

Whisky type
Blended whisky

Review by Nonjatta contributor - Dramtastic:

"Nikka Whisky Grand Age blend. 45 percent alcohol.
Nose: Very oaky(grand age). Varnish, toffee, bran and hay. Not particularly inviting.
Palate: Improves on the nose. The oak tones down and there's lots of sweet spice. Quite nutty. Clingy mouth feel. Some ginger ale.
Finish: Toffee and ginger ale. The oak makes a big return but a little too big unfortunately. The spicy sweetness remains.
Rating: 72/100" (Dramtastic's ratings explained.)

Suntory Aqua Vitae Pure Malt

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:12:00 +0000

Whisky Type
Pure Malt

Review by Nonjatta contributor - Dramtastic:

"Suntory Aqua Vitae Pure Malt. 40 percent alcohol.
Nose: Preserved plums. pomegranate, merlot infused oak, nectarine and a little menthol.
Palate: Sweet red grapes, preserved plums, light oak, cranberries, marzipan, butter, ginger.
Finish: Short on red grape, cranberries, marziapan then quite some ginger.
Rating: 80/100." (Dramtastic's ratings explained.)

Suntory Special Reserve Aged 12 Years

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:10:00 +0000

Whisky type
Blended whisky

Review by Nonjatta contributor - Dramtastic:

"Suntory Special Reserve Blend Aged 12 Years. 40 per cent alcohol.
Nose: Immediately reminded me of its younger brother the Special Reserve Aged 10 Years. Apple custard, stewed pears. tinned peaches, banana, sawdust. Very creamy with a big dollop of Demerara sugar.
Palate: Yum. Very creamy mouth feels. 5 spice, mashed bananas, apple custard, tinned peaches, smooth oak.
Finish: Fresh cream-covered peaches, stewed apples and banana, sprinkled with sweet spices. General comment: Never loses its composure. Excellent blending. I`m giving the same score as the 10-yo version.
Rating: 87/100." (Dramtastic's ratings explained.)

Kirin Emblem

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:02:00 +0000

Whisky type
Blended whisky

Review by Nonjatta contributor - Dramtastic:

"Kirin Emblem. 43 per cent alcohol.
Nose: Bran, wheat, oats. Lemon and lime. New oak and potato skins.
Palate: Toffee and grain. Golden syrup on pancakes with a light squeeze of lemon.
Finish: Medium on golden syrup, oak, a little poppy seed and cinnamon.
General comment: Solid blend in the Scottish style. Kirin blends often use Scottish whisky in the mix.
Ratings: 78/100." (Dramtastic's ratings explained.)

Nikka Aging Triple

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:46:00 +0000

Whisky type
Blended whisky

Review by Nonjatta contributor - Dramtastic:

"Nikka Ageing Triple Blended Malt. 40 per cent alcohol.
Nose: Quite simple on pears, green apple, lemon, malt, freshly cut timber, yeast. A little waxy. Reminds me of Glen Moray NAS.
Palate: Slightly bitter. Flat sprite, pears, freshly cut timber, malt, pepper, grapefruit.
Finish: Short on timber, pepper, grapefruit, malt.
General comment: The label says it is blended with "new type" malt whisky. If that means it young, it certainly tastes it.
Rating: 69/100." (Dramtastic's ratings explained.)

Update on duty free at Narita

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 03:30:00 +0000

Given the regular emails I get asking about the practicalities of buying Japanese whisky both inside and outside Japan, I am going to take the liberty of promoting a very interesting comment posted on Nonjatta into a full post. It is very informative and I think it will be of interest to readers. It is from "Paul," who doesn`t give any further personal details. (If you did, Paul, I could give you proper credit.) I have put Paul`s videos of what is currently available at Narita at the top, but look below for some very important information on what you have to check before getting your wallet out.

"I have just returned from recent vacation in Japan in 2012 here is an update on duty free shop at narita airport.

In other airports around the world, if you are departing or arrival from the airport, you can buy duty free. In Narita airport, however, there is no duty free at all as you arrive. My buddy and I were quite shocked to find this. He wanted to get a carton of Camel smokes but couldn't do so. My plan was to buy the Hibiki 30-year-old for the duration of my vacation, and then the Yamazaki 25-year-old to bring home when I departed from Japan via Narita. I couldn't do that.

Before you buy any duty free liquor at Narita, please ask your airline during check-in if you are allowed to buy duty free liquor and carry on board your plane. We were flying ANA airways and they allowed it, but I hear Delta airways may not allow it. Please check.
If you buy NON-duty free liquor from many supermarket in Japan, you will have to pack it in your luggage and check it in. They probably will not allow you to hand carry aboard any liquor. (Nonjatta editor`s note: They definitely will not allow this. Also, check if you are getting a transfer at a second airport whether it is going to be taken off you during that transfer. Different countries seem to have different practices.)

At the Narita duty free shop, I saw a wide range of Japanese whiskies. The Hibiki 30-yo and the Yamazaki 25-yo that I was after were both available, but were way too expensive: 75,000 yen each. That is only slightly cheaper than non-duty-free whisky retail outlets here in my country. So, it was quite a let down not to be able to sample either the Hibiki or the Yamazaki.

In the end I just bought a bottle of Old Parr Superior 18-yo for 6,500yen, which is not available in my country. It came along with a nice men's wrist watch.

Happy tippling!"

More Ichiro`s Malt temptation

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:08:00 +0000

Just the label of this latest offering from Ichiro`s Malt is enough to send me scuttling for my wallet, but the thought of the whisky inside makes the temptation almost too much to resist.

The 11-year-old single cask bottling (only 309 bottles are available at just below 8,000 yen a pop) is a sequel to the previous "The Game," which was highly praised by Nonjatta reviewer Dramtastic. The new 59.4-percent version has been finished in a "mizunara headed hogshead," which means that only the two ends of the large cask used for the final maturation were made of mizunara (Japanese oak) . That may result in a subtle hint of the typical mizunara influences.

Tip of the hat to WhiskyWall for the tweet announcing this. Image taken from the Shinanoya website.

Lowballs

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 02:52:00 +0000

Neojaponisme has a really entertaining tasting of some canned highballs on their new videocast stream.

The photograph was lifted from Neojaponisme.

Post article

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 02:45:00 +0000

The Washington Post has an article about Japanese whisky for beginners.

Mars Maltage 3 Plus 25

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:49:00 +0000

Whisky type
Pure malt

Note from Nonjatta: For more information on this rather unique whisky, please see this post.

Review by Nonjatta contributor - Dramtastic:

"Mars Maltage 3 Plus 25. 28-year-old pure malt. 46 per cent alcohol.
Nose: Luscious. A huge hit of apricots. Ginger, soft leather, Seville oranges, lemon barley, toffee, vanilla, stewed rhubarb, lime juice, gentle pepper, a little pine nut, pineapple, walnut, licorice, and a waxy element.
Palate: Smooth and rounded. Big toffee, apricot jam, pepper, stewed rhubarb, Chinese 5 spice. Can oak be creamy? Sweetened corn, pistachios, leather, frangipani, strawberry compote, walnuts, licorice.
Finish: Medium-long. Balanced on a sweet/dry combo then a little minerally.
General comment: A stunning whisky that reminds me somewhat of Hibiki 21. Complex and faultless.
Rating: 93/100" (Dramtastic's ratings explained.)

Mars Komagatake Single Cask Vintage 1988 Sherry Cask

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:37:00 +0000

Distillery
Shinshu

Review by Nonjatta contributor - Dramtastic:

"Mars Komagatake Single Cask Vintage 1988 sherry cask #566. 46 percent alcohol.
Nose: Sherry, match heads, preserved plums, honey, toffee, medium oak, thickened cream, oats.
Palate: Toasty. Match heads, honey, banana leaf, dry sherry, toffee, candied nuts, nutmeg.
Finish: Short-medium on dry sherry. Matchheads, toffee, honey. Flinty.
General comment: This reminds me of Highland park 12/18 or Glenfarclas 21. Not really my style of sherried whisky but nothing particularly off either.
Rating: 80/100" (Dramtastic's ratings explained.)

Mars Amber

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:22:00 +0000

Whisky type
Blended whisky

Review by Nonjatta contributor - Dramtastic:

"Mars Amber blend. 40 per cent alcohol.
Nose: Sherry, honey, malt, dates, raisins. No grainy notes that I can pick up.
Palate: Light bodied. Sherry, some nuttiness, toffee, dates, and a little nougat.
Finish: Short on dry sherry, toffee and nuts.
General comment: A simple, untaxing whisky that works best mixed or on the rocks, as the makers intended.
Rating: 70/100." (Dramtastic's ratings explained.)

One of the last Ichiro's Malt "Card" releases?

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 12:43:00 +0000

Update11.1.2012: According to Nonjatta reviewer Dramtastic the unaccounted for cards are the Five of Diamonds, Six of Hearts, Seven of Spades and the Ace of Clubs. And perhaps the joker discussed below and in the comments. Thanks, Dramtastic! Again.

The most interesting nugget in Whisky Wall's new posting about the latest batch of Ichiro's Malt card bottlings from the now-shuttered Hanyu distillery (10 of Diamonds; Nine of Clubs; Six of Spades; Four of Hearts) is that there have been a total of 48 bottles in the card series so far (including these latest releases). To be honest, I am not sure I have to records to count them all up, but it amazing to think we have come so far!

52-48=4.

4!

Maybe there will be a joker? I would very much like that bottle.

The new expressions feature a new label design, as has often been the case with previous releases. They are priced at 7,700 yen for the Six of Spades and Four of Clubs (both 11-year-olds), 13,650 yen for the 21-year old 10 of Diamonds and 11,550 yen for the 20-year-old Nine of Clubs.

Another interesting feature of the latest bottling is the use of astronomical imagery. As you can see above, the French oak cognac cask finished Four of Hearts features Aries, the ram. The Bourbon barrel finished Nine of Clubs features Capricornus, the goat. The American oak puncheon finished 10 of Diamonds is Gemini, the twins. The Oloroso Sherry Butt finished Six of Spades is Orion, the hunter. A new marketing series for Mr Akuto?

Support Fukushima by buying its whisky

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 03:00:00 +0000

Whisky fans in Japan wanting to do their bit for quake and nuclear accident-hit Fukushima prefecture could do worse than invest in a pure malt whisky from Sasanokawa distillery. Although Sasanokawa`s XXV Cherry Whisky is not new to the market, I think the cute barrel design is (see above).

Sasanokawa distillery is based in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, which is inland from the main tsunami-hit areas and about 40 miles from the stricken Fukushima No.1 nuclear plant. Nevertheless, it did suffer significant damage in the March 11 quake including damage to a storage tank, warehouses, a chimney, plumbing and stocks (as these photographs show).

Sasanokawa and its Cherry Whisky brand have been consigned to the footnotes of the Japanese whisky story on Nonjatta. I have mentioned the distillery a couple of times, but never really spent much time on the subject (despite getting quite a few inquiries about them in comments and emails). That needs to be put right. Cherry Whisky is actually a significant name in the development of whisky culture in Japan. Sasanokawa is an old sake and shochu making house, dating back to 1765, but they started making whisky in 1946 and built themselves into quite a force in the postwar whisky market in northeast Japan, prevalent enough to rival Nikka or Suntory in the region. One of the firm`s more recent interventions, helping Ichiro Akuto to save stocks from the old Hanyu distillery and therefore enabling him to launch his Ichiro's Malt brand, was genuinely significant for preserving diversity in the Japanese whisky world.

The XXV brand was launched in the 1980s by Yamazakura, another company that was later bought by Sasanokawa. I think it commemorated the 25th anniversary of that company`s move to a new location in Asaka district. According to the Rakuten page I have linked to, it is made from 10 year aged malt made under the old regulations that used to divide Japanese whisky into grades. It may contain a considerable amount of imported malt. One reference I found was talking about a 6:4 ratio of imported whisky to the company`s own whisky and the designation of it as "pure malt" rather than single malt does imply more than one source. As usual with these Japanese "ji-whiskies" it is all a bit difficult to understand, but, anyway, it is 6,280 yen for 720 ml.

Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2011 No age statement

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 02:12:00 +0000

Distillery
Yamazaki

Review by Nonjatta contributor - Dramtastic:

"Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2011 No age statement. 48 percent alcohol.
Nose: Dry sherry, oak, raisins, dark cherry chocolate, figs, Arnott's mint slice biscuits, leather, blackberry jam, bran, ginger.
Palate: Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, brown sugar, figs, brazil nuts, leather, a mix of dark jams, mint, dry sherry, bran, oak. Nicely punchy.
Finish: Medium length. An excellent balance of sweet and dry flavours.
General comment: I've had the 2009 and this is a few points better. A superbly crafted whisky.
Rating: 90/100" (Dramtastic's ratings explained.)

`Spirit of Unity` raised £90,000

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 02:01:00 +0000

Whiskies R Us has a story about the Spirit of Unity whisky, which was released by a group of Scottish distillers to raise money for Japan earthquake relief. They have already raised £90,000 and hope to collect more next year with the release of boxed sets of the whisky containing bottles signed by the distillers involved (Arran, BenRiach, Bladnoch, GlenDronach, Mitchell’s Glengyle, Kilchoman and Springbank.)

Nikka Tsuru 17-year-old

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:24:00 +0000

Whisky type
Blended

Review by Nonjatta contributor - Dramtastic:

"Nikka Tsuru 17-year-old. 43 percent alcohol.
Nose: Malty. Freshly baked apple pie, lemon meringue, cloves, freshly cut timber, a little sherry, vanilla.
Palate: Again, nicely malty. Nutmeg, cloves, popcorn, apple pie with a white sugar dusted crust, vanilla custard, mango.
Finish: Short to medium and continuing the flavours from the palate and the freshly cut timber. A liquid desert." (Dramtastic's ratings explained.)

Golden Horse 12-year-old

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:14:00 +0000

Distillery
Hanyu

Review by Nonjatta contributor - Dramtastic:

"Golden Horse (Toa Shuzo) 12-year-old. 50 percent alcohol.
Nose: Earthy peat, oak, soy sauce, oyster sauce, seaweed, sandalwood, malt, maple syrup. Lovely.
Palate: Sweet lemon, earthy peat, leather, oak, soy sauce, malt, dates, maple syrup on lightly burnt pancakes, marzipan, nougat
Finish: Medium with the flavours onthe palate. Ends with ashy dryness and gentle oak. Tasty.
Rating: 87/100." (Dramtastic's ratings explained.)

1960s Suntory ads targeting young tipplers

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 23:34:00 +0000

These two ads from an old Suntory Red blended whisky campaign (found here) are new to me. Love the look.

The ad above seemed to be aimed at the younger generation, but would perhaps not be possible nowadays, in these politically correct, health conscious times. The text on the tap just says "Suntory Red,"and the text between the bottle and the drinking man says: "All those youngsters who can drink water should be able to drink Red." The body text at the top right says: "Do you prepare yourself before drinking water. No you are not scared. You drink it in one swig. Take you red in like that! Red is just a little bit heavier than water but much much lighter than your usual whisky. Furthermore, water is tasteless, while Red's taste and flavour... Oh!"

This ad is also aiming at the same younger generation. The top text says: "Announcing a brand new method to change the rainy season into sun!" The body text at bottom right says: "In the middle of the rainy season, the rain comes day after day. How depressing! How boring! Please put a massive block of ice in the middle of your glass and pour an ample amount of Red, which is currently in fashion. This way you will taste its original soft flavour most acutely. This one glass will make you very happy.". Soft whisky for young people, Suntory Red." Bottom, done during the rainy season. "We will introduce you a method to change rainy into sunny."

This extra one dates it for us: "Bye Bye 1966! The sky is rusty with smog, but look the sun is renewed again. Life's wonderful. Happy New Year! Cheers! Cheers! Cheers! Have a good time with your soft Red this year again." So, this campaign was from around 1966-1967. Love the smog detail. The skies round here are really clear now, but then again Japan isn't leading the world economy anymore either.

One thing that does leap out from these ads is the cost of the whisky. 500 yen for a bottle of Red in 1967! That is not that different from a bottle of Red now.

Two new Yoichi single casks

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Nikka whisky announced two new single cask bottlings from its Yoichi distillery today. The lightly peated 1987 (cask no. 112805, 58 per cent alcohol) and more heavily peated 1988 (cask no. 100129, 61 per cent alcohol) will sell in the Asahi Shop for 21,000 yen and 18,900 yen respectively.

Nikka describes the 1987 as hitting the palate with a soft, rounded vanilla sweetness backed up with some malt, creamy bittersweet notes and coffee nougat! The 1988 is less compromising, with more peat and marine tastes.

Great gallery of bottle shots

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:47:00 +0000

The France-based Japanese Sake and Spirits Society has a gallery of bottle shots up on Facebook . It is perhaps a symptom of the desperate emptiness of my life that I enjoyed just flicking through the photos.

Actually, it would be a great education for anyone starting off on this Japanese whisky road. It gives a sense of the diversity and quality.

Image stolen from the society's gallery.

Camper English on Whisky Bars

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:17:00 +0000

The award-winning drinks writer Camper English has a post about whisky bars in Japan, following his recent visit. Oil, in particular, looks intriguing.

The Yamazaki Bourbon Barrel (no age statement)

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:30:00 +0000

Distillery
Yamazaki

Review by Nonjatta contributor - Dramtastic:

"The Yamazaki Bourbon Barrel (no age statement). 48 per cent alcohol.
Nose: Juicy. Tropical fruit salad infused crisp oak. Vanilla, passion fruit, lychee, pineapple, pear, strawberry, blueberry bagels. Some hay, bran, cane sugar, currants.
Palate: Lovely. Big sweet-spice hit balanced with a little salt. The spicyness gives a bigger mouth feel than The Hakushu Bourbon Barrel. More of the tropical fruit salad with some added butteriness. Pecans and sweet pear.
Finish: Medium on tropical fruits, blueberry bagels, pecan pie, hint of menthol and well integrated oak.
General comment: Highly recommended
Rating: 89/100." (Dramtastic's ratings explained.)

The Hakushu Bourbon Barrel (no age statement)

noreply@blogger.com (Nonjatta) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:21:00 +0000

Distillery

Hakushu

Review by Nonjatta contributor - Dramtastic:

"The Hakushu Bourbon Barrel (no age statement). 48 percent alcohol.

Nose: Fresh oak, pepper, earthy peat, lime juice, soap flakes, cherry blossom, pineapple and a little salt

Palate: Typically clean Hakushu mouth feel. Immediate hit of pepper. Licorice, lime juice, subtle earthy peat, some peanut shell bitterness, strawberry chocolate, menthol.

Finish: Is short-medium on pepper, lime juice, strawberry chocolate then fades to green apples.

General comment: Think of punchier version of Hakushu 12 with some added sweetness.

Rating: 86/100." (Dramtastic's ratings explained.)