The Matsui Sakura Cask

The Matsui Sakura Cask

Official bottling
Single malt - West Honshu 
Very pale gold
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, malted grains, honey, cream, white pepper, orange peel, hints of cherry blossom. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, mouth coating, cool. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Cinder toffee, honey, malted grains, orange peel, cherry blossom, white grapes, hints of peaches. 
Finish: Short. Malted grains, honey, white pepper, white grapes. 

Comments: 

Slightly lactic at the beginning on the nose, but it soon changes to cream, honey, white pepper and cherry blossom. Very Japanese, very delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

The Matsui Mizunara Cask

The Matsui Mizunara Cask 

Official bottling 
Single malt - West Honshu
Pale straw
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange blossom, vanilla, honey, chocolate, butterscotch, hints of raisins, hints of jute bags. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, cool. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Malted grains, chocolate, stout, butterscotch, chocolate, raisins, hints of cinnamon. 
Finish: Short. Butterscotch, fresh cut grass, orange blossom, hints of cinnamon. 

Comments: 

Promising from the new Kurayoshi distillery. It’s robust spirit, lots of malty fudgy notes, allows to orange blossom and spice from the mizunara cask. Very pleasant indeed, a good typical Japanese whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.