Suntory Pure Malt Whisky

“Nose: Oak and toffee. Wine and brine. Palate: As expected, very punchy at 58%. This one will need water as the hot spices at cask strength overwhelm everything else. With water, this whisky becomes more creamy and custardy. Not particularly malty. Finish: With water, it is warming, of good length, creamy, spicy with a hint of wine.”

“Nose: Quite a mixture here, plenty of fruits notably orange, apple, pineapple, and grapefruit are balanced against a woody, earthy root aspect. Throughout there's a very aromatic grassy and well-defined floral note – reminds me of jasmine tea. Palate: Very smooth drinking, light and slightly oily. Lots of tropical fruits, apricots, bananas, coconut, and pineapple. Hold on the tongue to get a hit of cinnamon spice. Finish: Short to medium, there's a hint of tropical fruit salad sweets and citrus zest, this doesn't linger before quickly drying. Comments: Very aromatic whisky, smooth and light with plenty of fruit notes. This Yamazaki 12-Year-Old is a great introduction to Japanese whisky.”

“Nose: Smooth, quite heavy sherry. Oak, raisins, stone fruit (plums?), toffee, wood stain. What seems like a touch of peat or smoke. Palate: Ripe stone fruit, Christmas cake, milk chocolate, raisins, wood stain and again that hint of smoke/burnt twigs/matches.... or something like that. Well balanced. Finish: Spicy, raisins, plums, chocolate, mint. Warming on the chest and of medium length. A little dry. General comment: I wouldn't pick this for a young whisky. It's far too composed and focused. This has spent time in a very good sherry butt!”