Kurayoshi Pure Malt

Kurayoshi Pure Malt

Matsui Shuzou 
Blend
Pale gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Mushrooms, yoghurt, malted grains, brown sugar, dark chocolate, fresh baked bread. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter salty. Dark chocolate, leather, malted grains, mushrooms, yoghurt, lemon zest, cinnamon, hints of sea salt. 
Finish: Medium. Fresh baked bread, raisins, dark chocolate, leather. 

Comments: 

Quite lactic and tart with earthy mushrooms and bitter dark chocolate. A very simple, straightforward dram, as befits an entry level dram.

Verdict:

I like this.

Kurayoshi 8yo Sherry Cask

Kurayoshi 8yo Sherry Cask

Kurayoshi, Matsui Shuzo
Blended malt 
Amber
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cream, raisins, malted grains, cream cheese, apple juice. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, syrupy, thickens slightly, turns oily. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Lemon juice, apple juice, sea salt, prunes, hints of cream cheese, hints of autumn leaves. 
Finish: Short. Apple juice, pears, prunes, hints of cream. 

Comments: 

Scottish malt, blended with Japanese grain and aged in Japan. It's sweet, slightly savoury on the nose, but bursts into tart flavours of lemon and apple. The saltiness is a gentle murmur underneath these notes, and there's even a whisper of earthy autumnal forest floor.

Verdict:

I like this.