Karuizawa 31 yo Sherry Cask #3555

Karuizawa 31 yo Sherry Cask #3555

Official bottling
Single malt - West Honshu
Mahogany
60.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, golden syrup, vanilla, waffles, red grapes,hints of balsamic vinegar. With water, strawberries, orange blossom, honey, pomegranate molasses. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, hot, turns watery. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Orange peel, waffles, red grapes, balsamic vinegar, strawberries, hints of black pepper. With water, more sour, fresh baked bread, golden syrup, pomegranate molasses, hints of preserved walnuts. 
Finish: Long. Waffles, balsamic vinegar, pomegranate molasses, golden syrup. 

Comments: 

Cask #3555, bottled for the Whisky Exchange. Despite the incredible colour, this whisky isn't overly sherried, by which I mean there's not an overpowering hit of red grapes. It does taste a lot like a good Pedro Ximenez sherry though (at least in the finish). Plenty of tart sweet concentrated notes (like the pomegranate molasses). Heavy and complex, worth every penny.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.