SMWS 116.13 (Yoichi 23 yo 1985/2008)

SMWS 116.13 (Yoichi 23 yo 1985/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Hokkaido
Dark gold
51.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, smoke, peat, soy sauce, bacon, hints of spiced apple, hints of butter.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, smooth.
Tasting: Bitter. Oranges, smoke, peat, peaches, pineapples, raisins, bacon. Water transforms the oranges into orange peel, a little more volatile and oily to the tongue.
Finish: Long. Smoke, salted peanuts, oranges.

Comments:

Another sweet and savoury whisky. It's very unlike the official Yoichi, being a lot more smoky and meaty. Almost like a good Bowmore, except there's a fairly obvious hint of pineapple. It's a good reminder that Japanese whisky has a character all of its own.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.