We’ll have a short stroll among some of the recent Japanese distilleries, all selected by Lucky Choice and friends in Asia. We’re happy to try Shizuoka again, as well as Sakurao which isn’t seen often in Europe. Last but not least, a bottling of Ichiro’s Malt & Grain.
Shizuoka 3 yo 2021 (52,7%, OB for LMK & Lucky Choice 2025, bourbon cask #2021-901, 68 btl.)
Nose: fresh lemons and peels, with some mango flavoured tea, a hint of spiced marmalade and creamy vanilla. Then whiffs of fresh sandalwood, a little balsa and mild peppermint. Green apple, melon and juniper as well. Subtle waxy notes on top.
Mouth: a lovely silky creaminess. Additionally, nice estery fruits (green apple, green banana, light peach) with just a hint of coconut milk and biscuity notes. Later also candied lemon peels and fresh oak spice. Very light earthy notes in the background, as well as herbal freshness.
Finish: quite long, with a gentle resinous quality, more sandalwood and citrus notes.
While it may be less unique than some of the early bottlings I tried from Shizuoka, this is equally precise, sappy and vibrant. Really balanced as well (spoiler: perhaps more mature than the other two). Available from Hi Liquor for instance.
Sakurao 4 yo 2020 (63%, OB for Lucky Choice & Kanpaikai 2025, rum cask finish #7454, 194 btl.)
Nose: slightly more oriental than the Shizuoka, caused by tea-like and floral qualities. Fresh barley, green herbal teas with mint and white blossomy notes. A hint of under-ripe banana and brioche. Then the sweet rummy notes comes along, with some paraffin and subtle vanilla in the mix.
Mouth: good power, lots of fresh notes. That includes peppermint, juniper, lemon peels and juice. There’s an estery (green banana) and every so slightly earthy / funky note to it (almost peaty in a way), which may well be the rum talking. Apples and a hint of wax as well.
Finish: quite long, with herbs, citrus and a drying note.
The youth still shows a little, especially with the high ABV, but it’s an excellent spirit. The rum cask doesn’t take over and isn’t one of these overly sweet types. Good result. Score: 86/100
Ichiro’s Malt & Grain (61,1%, OB for Lucky Choice & The Antelope 2025, sherry hogshead finish #B0026, 284 btl.)
Nose: good sherry impressions. There’s a hint of tobacco, with milk chocolate and some roasted almond. Red berries and juicy plum. The grainy component is noticeable with a rather caramelized side. Additionally some fresh wood shavings and pine needles, black pepper, orange oil and mulched leaves.
Mouth: sweet and spicy. The grain comes out more now, with orange oils and white pepper, but also creamy vanilla, maybe some roasted pineapple and hints of fruit tea. Then coffee beans and dark chocolate, along with a firm hint of toasted wood, spices and moderate tannins.
Finish: medium to long. Cocoa, orange peels and a wee vanilla / popcorn note.
A quality blend, no doubt, and the sherry cask plays along nicely. That said, I would have loved a bit more emphasis on the malt component. Given the age of these three bottlings, a really pleasant result. Score: 86/100