This time, I would like to introduce some delicious whiskeys that I bought in June 2024 or drank at bars or at whiskey events.
- 1st bottle: Asaya Shoten x Tofu Single Cask Milton Duff 2009 14 years
- 2nd: Ballindalloch Vintage Release 2015
- 3rd: Blossoms Glen Moray 1995
- 4th: Springbank Local Burley 2024
- 5th bottle: Saburomaru IV THE EMPEROR Cask Strength
- 6th: Cheers Secret Highland 1981-2023 42 years
- 6th: THE WHISKY HOOP Brooklady 1992
- 7th bottle: Carnmore Celebration of the Cask Bunnahavn 1989
- 8th bottle: Bowmore hand fill
- Extra edition ①: Elisir M.P. Roux
- Extra edition ②: Purple haze
- Closing Thoughts
1st bottle: Asaya Shoten x Tofu Single Cask Milton Duff 2009 14 years
This is one of the single casks selected by Asaya Shoten and Tofu, a famous liquor store in Chichibu.
『Whiskey Talk FukuokaI sampled it at the event, and it was delicious, so I ordered it on the spot.
It tastes just like the label, with a floral flavor reminiscent of flowers.
With this gorgeous taste, you can drink it straight without any hesitation even in the hot summer.
2nd: Ballindalloch Vintage Release 2015
This is the first release for Japan from Ballindalloch Distillery, which was founded in 2014.
To be called whiskey in Scotland, it must be aged for at least three years.
By the way, in Japan, whiskey must be aged for at least three years in order to be called Japanese whisky.
In other words, whiskey cannot be shipped until three years after opening the distillery, so there will be no income during that period.
Of course, that doesn't work, so it's normal to generate income by releasing unaged New Pot or Newborn that has been aged for less than three years during that period.
However, Ballindalloch Distillery has not released any wines, including Newborn, until now, and it was finally released after more than 8 years of aging.
In other words, it's a distillery with financial strength.
I think the key flavor was the fruitiness, especially the banana and citrus elements.
I could feel the nuttiness in the second half, and I thought it was delicious overall.
However, what I am concerned about is the price.
Since it was distilled in 2015, I think it has been aged for about 8 years, so I think it's a little expensive if you judge it from the specs alone at about 17,000 yen.
I think it's up to the individual to decide whether the taste is worth the price, but I think it's a distillery that I would definitely like to drink even if I don't buy it, and I'd like to keep an eye on it in the future.
3rd: Blossoms Glen Moray 1995
This is one from the popular Blossoms series, and this time it's Glen Moray.
At first, there was a feeling of fresh fruit like lychee, and in the second half, honey, black tea, and brown sugar passed through the nose, making it an extremely delicious bottle.
It was released around mid-June, and I had it at a bar around the end of June, so I tried to look for it to buy it, but it was sold out at every liquor store. .
I want to secure it somehow. .
4th: Springbank Local Burley 2024
Since you can't even buy Spring Bank 10 Years on your own, you obviously can't buy limited edition items like Local Burley on your own.
If you can't buy it, why not just go to a bar and have a drink, so I started drinking right away.
The taste had a tropical impression, and the second half was the impression of dashi soy sauce.
It was my favorite among the Springbanks, so I included it in this selection.
5th bottle: Saburomaru IV THE EMPEROR Cask Strength
Last time's Ⅲ was ZEMON distilled + Ira Peated, and this time's Ⅳ is ZEMON distilled + Highland peated.
You can also feel the yellow fruit that I felt last time, and enjoy the difference between Islay and Highland peat.
This time, it was earthy and peat, giving me an impression similar to Ardmore.
I drank both the water-added type and the cask strength, and I personally preferred the cask strength because it had a stronger overall flavor than the water-added type.
Cask strength is difficult to purchase as it is available in small quantities. .
I have the water-added type III, so I would like to buy the water-added type IV as well and try it at home.
6th: Cheers Secret Highland 1981-2023 42 years
Secret Highland, distilled in 1981, is actually Glenmorangie.
I think it's delicious with tropical elements, ginger, and brown sugar.
I think it's real sherry at this age.
The price is 100,000 yen per bottle, but the taste is acceptable, and it's aged for 42 years, so I think it's actually cheap.
6th: THE WHISKY HOOP Brooklady 1992
If I drink something released years or even decades ago and think, “This is delicious—I want it,” there is usually almost no way to obtain it. For that reason, I generally only drink whiskies released within the past few months.
Well, the old ones are expensive and there are so many stars that I can't keep track of them. .
However, it is different when you visit a place other than Tokyo for a whiskey event.
I decided to go to a malt bar that is famous for its whiskey in the area and enjoy something I wouldn't normally drink.
So, ``Whiskey Talk FukuokaWhen I visited Fukuoka for ``bar kitchen” I went to.
The taste is green apple and barley, with a slightly gummy coating or waxiness.
After all, 90's Ladi is delicious.
I would like to always have a 90's Ladi at home.
7th bottle: Carnmore Celebration of the Cask Bunnahavn 1989
It's delicious with barley, fruit, and slightly tropical elements.
I have a 1988 Bunahabun at home, and I'm sure it's a Bunahabun from around this age.
8th bottle: Bowmore hand fill
Sherry's Bowmore.
It's sweet and smoky, with a hint of brown sugar in the aftertaste, and I think it's the perfect way to finish off your drink.
I feel like Bowmore's hand fill is pretty much a hit.
I would like to go to Islay someday and try handfilling with my own hands.
Extra edition ①: Elisir M.P. Roux
Since it is not whiskey, I will introduce it as an extra edition.
This bottle was released by Kyoto Fine Wine and Spirits to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Kishu Ikusei in Kyoto.
I think it would be classified as a medicinal/herbal liqueur.
You can feel the sweetness and freshness of mint, as well as complex flavors such as ginger, spice, and bitterness.
If you just look at words like bitterness, you might find it negative, but what you feel when you drink it is that it's complex but well-balanced.
I used to drink absinthe and it didn't taste like anything otherworldly to me, so I don't like herbal drinks, but I found this to be delicious.
I was told that this is a relatively weak and introductory version of the medicinal/herbal liqueur, so I would like to drink something stronger little by little.
Extra edition ②: Purple haze
This is also Ram, so I will introduce it as an extra edition.
『Whiskey Talk Fukuoka".
It was delicious with a distinct tropical element and brown sugar taste, so I ordered it on the spot.
Even with whisky, I look for fruity and tropical elements, but with rum it comes easily.
So, I've recently become interested in rum.
Closing Thoughts
There were a lot of good releases this month.
I would be happy if there were many good releases, but it also costs a lot of money. .
I'll try my best to get the bottles that I think are particularly good, and I'll continue to be active at the bar in July.
