This time, I will introduce some delicious whiskeys that I bought or drank at bars in August 2025.
1st bottle: Dufftown 1991 31 Year Maltyama 11th Anniversary & Owner Shimono Wedding Bottle
It's been a while since it was released, but I finally got around to it.
My personal favorite flavors were barley, apple, vanilla, cream, custard, and mint.
It's so delicious that it's worth buying, but the thing that bothers me is the price, which is 76,000 yen.
The market price is not very high, but in general, it is difficult to charge this price for a bottle of alcohol.
If it's still available, I'd like to buy it when I have the money.
By the way, there is a two-shot photo of Mr. Shimono and his wife on the back label.
Please take a look behind the scenes when you have a drink at the bar.
2nd bottle: Whiskey Hoop Laphroaig 2004
Whiskey Hoop's Japanese paper label and Laphroaig notation, not Secret Islay or Williamson, so I have no choice but to drink it.
It had a strong peat effect, with a slight yellow fruit, bitterness from the skin and pith of the fruit, and a sweetness similar to that of tortoiseshell candy.
It's a delicious rough, but a 2004 distilled bottle costs 100,000 yen. .
Hmm, Isla is getting expensive. .
I would like to buy one Aira from the 90's as soon as possible, but for over 100,000 yen, I have to be very selective and buy it. .
3rd bottle: Thompson Brothers Islay 1991 29 year
Although it is written as Aira, the contents are Laphroaig.
It was a fruit-driven rough with a yellow fruit, or rather a grapefruit, sweetness and sourness, with a hint of peat.
It may have been the bottom of the bottle, but this is the first time I've had a rough drink that tasted like grapefruit.
This year has seen a lot of releases from Laphroaig, which is said to be a hit year for 91. .
It's delicious and I'm about to buy one, so I try to drink it as much as possible, but my life (wallet) is almost zero, so I want to stop drinking it soon. .
4th bottle: Scarlet Cafe Maro 2025
It's not whiskey, it's liqueur.
Scarlet is a herbal liquor made from herbs, spices, and plant roots.
Classified as similar to Yomeishu.
Due to the Liquor Tax Law, Yomeishu is OK, but new entrants are prohibited. There may be raw materials and manufacturing methods.
It's interesting to hear about things around here, so I think it would be a good idea to attend a seminar or something.
Cafe Maro not only contains herbs and spices, but also coffee.
The barista brewed each cup of espresso. .
A Scarlet seminar was held in August, and I tasted it at that time.
I haven't had a chance to drink and compare Scarlet, so this time I tried Cafe Amaro for the first time, and it was really delicious.
It was so delicious that I ended up purchasing it.
I went to make a reservation for the popular Peach Amaro, but I personally prefer Cafe Amaro.
I think the best way to drink it is to mix it with water and drink it like an iced coffee.
Personally, I like to drink it straight or with water to finish off my whiskey drinking experience.
There are many delicious Scarlett drinks, not just Cafe Maro, so if you see them at a bar, be sure to give them a try.
Impressions
In August 2025, there were few new whiskey releases, and I mainly drank past releases.
If things go as usual, I think releases will be modest until mid-November.
With this, if Laphroaig and large releases are moderated, your life (wallet) can also be restored. .
I think we'll continue to release small releases, but I'll try to catch up by going to bars, attending events, drinking, and more.
