ABV 56%
This has classic Japanese finesse (and excellent viscimetry). Great whisky is about balance and this has it...in diamonds, not spades.
Dave Broom
Ichiro's Malt
Brand
1988, King of Diamonds
Expression
Single Malt
Type
No age statement
Age (Years)
56%
ABV
Japan
Region/Country
Standard (Distillery or blended)
Bottling Type
Taster
Nose: Immediate complexity. Cheddar cheese, cream, but also a firm nutty quality. A touch of burlap, smoke and then with water it shifts into sandalwood, citrus, pineapple, pine.
Palate: Dances in the mouth, moving from spice into flowers then to smoke, which builds subtly.
Finish: Long, mixing spice and sweetness.
Comment: This has classic Japanese finesse (and excellent viscimetry). Great whisky is about balance and this has it...in diamonds, not spades.
Score: 9
Taster
Nose: Tangy (alcohol tickles nostrils). Lots of cereal notes. Cooked grains. Oatcakes. Cowshed. Creosote with fresh mint aromas. Lemon juice.
Palate: A very short sweet start, bursting out into a spicy circus of aromas. Quite sharp but challenging. Less creosote on the palate.
Finish: Concentrated, citrussy, minty and spicy.
Comment: Water undoubtedly tames the alcohol but alters the freshness and enticing natural sharpness of that bold whisky.
Score: 7.8
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