The Chita Suntory Whisky

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Chita - Japan

American White Oak, Sherry Spanish Oak and Wine Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Grain 

Launched in 2015

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

To complete the group's range, Suntory has launched this single grain whisky from the Chita distillery, founded in 1972. This distillery only produces grain whisky, mainly from maize. So it's bourbon, so to speak. This Single Grain is a blend of three different agings, one in bourbon casks, one in Sherry casks and one in wine casks.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's iodised and fresh, the cereals are light and airy, millet and rice. Minty candy, fir thorns, eucalyptus leaves, heather. Subtle. On the palate, vanilla, apple, floral fragrances, wheat and corn grains. Lemon pips and peel. I can't smell the sherry or the wine, unless that's where a certain sweetness comes from. A herbal finish, with a hint of bitterness. Rather average. Vanilla returns in retro-olfaction, gently creamy. Cola and chestnuts. I think it's not bad.

 

In Short, 

I like the cereal profile, the strength of the grain. As for the rest, it's not bad, but it's not very exciting either. The value for money remains decent though.

Score : 82

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Salvia Plath - Salvia Plath

Suntory Toki

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Yamazaki, Hakushu, Chita - Japan

American White Oak and Spanish Oak Casks

Original Bottling

Core Range 

Blended Whisky

Launched in 2016

Almost Unpeated 

 

 

 

Toki means Time in Japanese, which is a little ironic as this is an Ageless Blended Whisky. Created from Hakushu aged in American casks blended with grain whisky from Chita, they've added a touch of Yamakazi matured in Spanish casks to spice things up.

Let's Taste It : 

Light, very light nose, a dash of lemon, fresh wood, and that's it I think. Green apples, Italia grapes, slight acidity. On the palate, no better, lemon, vanilla, a few berries, juicy grapefruit, iodine after all, but you have to look far. The finish is inoffensive without being bad, neither long nor short, a little spicy, with pepper, paprika and thyme. It goes down well on its own. The representative told me that it's for cocktails, but I haven't had the chance to try it in this format.

 

In Short, 

Between Nikka Days and Suntory Toki, it seems to me that the Toki is the winner, with more power and character. But unless you're a fan of highballs, I don't really see the point of this kind of beverage.

Score : 80

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Dope Lemon - Coyote

Hibiki Japanese Harmony

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Yamazaki, Hakushu, Chita - Japan

American White Oak, Sherry and Mizunara Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Blended Whisky

Launched in 1989

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Hibiki is supposed to represent the quintessence of Suntory's Blended. This bottling illustrates the 24 facets representing the 24 seasons of the Japanese lunar calendar and echoes nature. Looks like the marketing department has done a great job.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, first lemon, then vanilla, it's slightly astringent, with a discreet acidity that's not unwelcome. Fruits of the sun, melon, citrus, a touch of pineapple. On the palate, more vanilla, more lemon. Sweet and syrupy. Cane syrup, almond. A pinch of cinnamon and sandalwood. Wheat grains. The finish is decent, almost long, with candied lemon and blood orange. Cereals and a bit of dry earth. Sand and sea foam. A hint of iodine and fine salt.

 

In Short, 

Yes, it's not bad at all, it's balanced, but it's also very soft and light. For me, it lacks character. As for the price, it's absolutely crazy.

Score : 82

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Franz Schubert - Impromptu n°3

Jameson The Blender's Dog

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Midleton - Ireland

Sherry and Bourbon Casks 

Original Bottling 

Core Range

Blended Whiskey

Launched in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Totally Unpeated 

In 2017, Billy Leighton, Jameson's Head Blender, launched the Whiskey Makers Series, meant to pay tribute to all those involved in making Whiskey, be it the cooper, blender, distiller or others. The Blender's Dog is the 2nd edition of this series. For a whiskey professional, the Dog is not an animal, but the glass tube that never leaves his side and allows him to take samples from each cask.

Let's Taste It : 

Classic Irish whiskey nose, with sherry and grain, a whole range of cereals from barley to puffed rice. A pinch of almond and vanilla to bind it all together. Floral notes of daisy and chrysanthemum. A hint of pineapple. On the palate it's fresh, round and vanilla-flavoured, almost minty, with a soft lemon touch on the tip of the tongue. Disreet spices, turmeric and nutmeg. The finish is palatable, sparkling, with halftones of cola and chocolate milk. Quite balanced overall.

In Short, 

It's not bad, and far superior to the classic Jameson blended. Be that as it may, it remains a bit light on the palate and expensive for what it is. The public made no mistake about it: due to lack of success, the series ceased production in 2020.

Score : 81

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping:

                                           Henry Mancini - The Pink Panther Theme

Nikka Days

 

 

 

40°

Distillery : Miyagikyo, Yoichi - Japan

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Blended Whisky

Launched in 2018

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

Launched to replace other expressions from the same brand, notably Blended, this whisky is particularly well-suited to cocktails.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Lemony nose, grain and cereals, cashew nuts and peanuts, all well-balanced of course, but very light too. White grapes, plums, a floral touch, daisies and chrysanthemums. On the palate and finish it's very gentle, vanilla, citrus, lemon and grapefruit, almond, a trace of peat, but you have to look hard enough. Sandy earth, sunshine, pineapple, a few grains of salt, this is a summer whisky. Pine thorns. It's so light that it barely feels like alcohol.

 

In Short, 

Maybe it works in a cocktail, but pure, it's pointless, though flawless. The price is fairly low, but it's still too expensive for what it is.

Score : 79

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Nancy Sinatra - These Boots are Made for Walking

Nikka Coffey Grain

 

 

 

45°

Distillery : Miyagikyo - Japan

Re-Filled, Remade and Re-Charred American Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Grain 

Launched in 2012

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Coffey stills were created by Aenas Coffey in 1830. They are two-column stills that allow grain whisky to be distilled, preserving the flavours and creamy texture of the distillate. Masataka Taketsuru imported two of these stills to Japan in 1963 and 1966, and installed them in Miyagikyo. Since then, this distillery has been producing a grain whisky renowned all over the world. Coffey Grain has been developed to make this distillate accessible to everyone. Success is guaranteed.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

I immediately recognise the cereals typical of grain whisky: puffed rice, wheat germ, cornflakes, with a fruity hint of apple and vanilla, and also a chocolatey note, more like milk chocolate, with an ounce of coffee. Fresh mint, honey, dry earth, icing sugar. On the palate, it's quite bourbonny, with yeast, fresh cream, all vanilla-flavoured and honeyed, corn and hay. The finish is very pleasant, sparkling, with cola and mocha. Chestnut cream, ferns.

 

In Short,

It's a great success of its kind, and fans of grain whisky will be delighted. However, it doesn't offer the best value for money.

Score : 82

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                           Luiz Bonfà - Manha de Carnaval

Timorous Beastie

 

 

 

46,8°

Distillery : Glengoyne, The Dalmore, Glen Garioch, Blair Athol - Highlands 

Ex-Bourbon Casks

Independent Bottling 

By Douglas Laing & Co.

Core Range 

Blended Malt

Launched in 2014

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

In the Remarkable Regional Malts range, Timorous Beastie represents the Highlands. Inspired by a poem by Robert Burns entitled "To A Mouse", the name Timorous Beastie is a bit misplaced, as there is nothing timorous about this Blended Malt. It is also available in a variety of ageing versions: 10 years, 12 years, 16 years, 18 years, 21 years, 24 years, 25 years and even 40 years.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Light, slightly fruity nose, with white fruits and vanilla, plums and grapes. Quite fresh, perhaps with a hint of menthol, but also earthy, dry earth, vegetal fragrances, wood, resin, chocolate and liquorice. On the palate, the fruits are no longer the same, more apricots, pears, tart apples, but the woodiness persists. Cinnamon, sandalwood, Armenian paper. Slight bitterness. It ends with a pleasant, sparkling finish of cola and spices. Fine herbs, nutmeg, thyme.

In Short, 

It's interesting and very pleasant on the palate. It's available at a reasonable price. That said, it's not what I'm looking for in the Highlands. Personally, I'd have chosen Clynelish, Brora or Pulteney, or even Glendronach, but to each his own.

Score : 83

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Frances Carroll & The Coquettes - 1939 TV Show

The Yamazaki Distiller's Reserve

 

 

 

43° 

Distillery : Yamazaki - Japan

Sherry, Bordeaux Wine and Mizunara Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2014

Almost Unpeated 

In 2014, with pressure on stocks of aged single malts mounting, Suntory decided to release Distiller's Reserve, with no mention of age. Yamazaki is based on a blend of an old whisky, matured for around 20 years in sherry casks, and two young ones, the first grown in Château Lagrange casks, and the other in the famous Mizunara casks typical of Japan.

Let's Taste It : 

Above all, it's well balanced. On the one hand, a fairly woody sherry, and on the other, earthy and winey fragrances. A few exotic fruits, coconut and papaya, but these remain very discreet. Evanescent smoke. On the palate, coffee, a touch of chocolate, passion fruit and grassy notes. Sweet spices, thyme, white pepper, nutmeg. Dried fruits, raisins, apricots, figs. A pleasant, earthy, fairly long finish on dried banana and liquorice. Heather, truffles, tree bark.

 

In Short,

Once again, a successful blend that will delight connoisseurs, with a stunning balance. However, the price has become too high over time.

Score : 83

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Bix Beiderbecke - Mississippi Mud

Amrut Fusion

 

 

 

50°

Distillery : Amrut - India

Ex-Bourbon Casks 

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2009

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 23 ppm

 

 

 

Amrut Fusion is made from two types of barley. The first comes from Scotland, more precisely from the Port Ellen malting plant, and the second from the Himalayas, growing at an altitude of 3,000 metres. Although there is no mention of age on the bottle, the product is said to have matured for 6 years, which is a long time in the tropics where the angels' share exceeds 10% a year.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Various and colourful spices with peat in a fairly maritime profile. Interesting balance. Iodine and white fruits, plums, grapes, vanilla. Very slight minerality, dry rock that burns in the sun. Quite fruity on the palate, with some exotic fruits and breadfruit. Juicy mango, candied pineapple, slightly overripe maracuja. Chocolate truffles, whipped cream. Turmeric, nutmeg. Good finish, but not exceptional, woody, liquorice, rich earth, palm leaves. Mangrove.

In Short, 

I couldn't find the Himalayan hallmarks, but in any case, it's a good product, original and interesting, and the high alcohol content gives it a punch. Worth a try for peat lovers looking for a change.

Score : 84

                                           To Be Listenend While Sipping :

  

                                           Kokoroko Afrobeat Collective - Colonial Mentality

Amrut Peated Indian

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Amrut - India

Orignal Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2009

Unchillfiltered

Peated around 24 ppm 

Amrut Peated Indian's very first batch dates back to 2008, but it contained 62,78° of alcohol. From the 2nd batch onwards, the juice was reduced to the current level. The barley distilled for this expression was grown in Scotland, probably on the island of Islay, by the Port Ellen Maltings. The distillation, however, took place in India. No further details are given about the ageing, but I suspect bourbon casks.

Let's Taste It : 

Slightly ashy and grainy peat, colourful Indian spices that give off a variety of different scents, vanilla, chestnut, fig. Exotic fruits, mango, papaya, pineapple. A hint of lemon and iodine. On the palate, a good balance between the moisture of the peat and the fruity aromas. Heather earth, coal, rock, damp wood and citrus. Good finish, of decent length, on caramel and wood. Sweet and savoury, a little spicy with peppery molasses and nutmeg.

In Short, 

Although the barley comes directly from Islay, the expression is typically Indian, and the peat blends advantageously with this exotic profile. It's worth buying, the price is decent as long as you look hard enough.

Score : 84

 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                          Tommy Guerrero - Nomadic Static

Lagavulin 12 yo Limited Edition 2015

 

 

 

56,8°

Distillery : Lagavulin - Islay

American Ex-Bourbon Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2015

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 38 ppm

 

 

 

In 2001, the distillery released the very first expression of the 12 Year Old, aged in American Bourbon casks and not reduced. It was an immediate success, and became the most popular bottling among enthusiasts. A new batch followed every year, and this one is among the most highly regarded.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :

Thick peat and smoke. The Lagavulin profile is recognisable, but without the sweetness of the 16-year-old. This time it's steep, rocky, almost hostile. Coal, suffocating mist, it's like putting your head in the chimney of a steam locomotive. Tangy, lemony notes, scrub, dry shrubs, wood fetus. Fresh iodised wind. Country slush. After a while, very fine balance, with a dash of icing sugar, citrus fruits and slightly mineral peat. White chocolate. Very oily on the palate, vanilla, spices but light, just the right amount, paprika, saffron, ginger. Powerful, charcoal finish, slightly bourbony, but not extremely long.

 

In Short, 

It's excellent, I can't understand how they manage to do it. It's rough and sweet at the same time, and all in perfect balance. It's a classic, a must if you're a peat lover.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                                    Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit

Amrut Cask Strength Batch 94

 

 

 

61,8°

Distillery : Amrut - India 

Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Malt

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

The Amrut spirits brand was founded in 1948, but it wasn't until 2004 that they finally began producing Single Malt Whisky. In India, whisky matures three times faster, but evaporates five times faster than in Scotland. The Cask Strength version has been produced since 2006. The alcohol content varies from batch to batch, so this is a true cask strength.

Let's Taste It : 

Scents of vanilla, caramel and spices, cloves, sandalwood, ginger and nutmeg. Mangrove, rainforest, humidity-soaked earth, but all quite fruity nonetheless. On the palate, a few white fruits, some exotic aromas, papaya and maracuja, but the pepper rises very quickly and starts to hammer. The finish is quite violent, you can feel it coming through. A hint of honey, though, with an ounce of fruit, sugar and caramel. Braised chestnuts, thyme and tarragon.

In Short, 

It's pleasant and quite good, but a little too full-bodied for me. Beyond the violence of the alcohol, it lacks nuance and subtlety.

Score : 85

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

   

                                          The Clash - Should I Stay or Should I Go

Compass Box Affinity

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Clynelish, Dailuaine, Teaninich, Craigellachie, Domaine Christian Drouin - Highlands, Speyside and Calvados

Toasted Casks, 1st Fill and Refill Sherry Butts

Independent Bottling 

By Compass Box 

Limited Edition

Blended Spirit

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

For once, it's a simple spirit that is annotated here, but it's a blend of Scotch Whisky and Calvados. A very bold initiative on the part of Master Blender John Glaser. 6028 copies were produced.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

First of all, light sherry, which blends with a fairly fine woodiness, orchard fruits, juicy pear and cinnamon. In the end, this surprising combination works quite well. On the palate, a few spices, then the slightly acidic Golden or Granny Smith apples come to the fore. Tart tatin, vanilla, whipped cream, nectarines. A touch of ginger and nutmeg. Very good finish, quite long, gently earthy, vanilla bean, melting chocolate, baked apple. Liquid caramel. Cola.

 

In Short, 

For sure, you have to like apples and calvados. Very good marriage with the vanilla. The sherry makes itself felt a little at first, but that's all. On the whole, it's a good idea, nice and original, but the value for money leaves something to be desired.

Score : 84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Gabor Szabo - Fred and Betty