[Six Carefully Selected Bottles!!] My Favorite Whiskies of March 2024

Introducing delicious whiskey in March 2024

In March 2024, we will introduce some delicious whiskeys that we drank and bought at bars.

Since the Chichibu Whiskey Festival was held in February last month, it seems that releases were concentrated in February to coincide with the event.

I thought that as a result of that, there would be fewer releases in March, but I think there were surprisingly good releases little by little.

1st: The TASTER Secret Aira 2009 14 years

『The TASTER” is a series released by Scotch Malt Sales in which they ask malt enthusiasts to taste and select barrels.

This time, Mr. Fujita from Campbelltown Loch, a famous restaurant, is in charge.

Although it is listed as Secret Islay, the contents are aged for 14 years and distilled in Ardbeg in 2009.

I had the impression that the taste was quite light, but the flavor becomes stronger from the second half onwards.

I felt that the Ardbeg single cask that was sold last year had a flavor that was light at first but became stronger in the second half, so I think there was something similar to this.

The price is a good 30,000 yen, but I think it's cheap considering Ardbeg's 14 year old.

2nd bottle: The TASTER Brooklady 2012 2011

Bruckladdich was distilled in 2012 and aged for 11 years.

Since the barrel is written as a barrel, I think it is probably a bourbon barrel.

Mr. Nakamura of Campbelltown Loch is in charge of the selection.

I felt like it had fruit, barley, and a little peat.

I also get the impression that it has a citrus, gum-like, and plum feel to it.

The price was around 30,000 yen, which is quite a good price, but it was a delicious Brookladdich.

3rd: GM Brooklady 1994 27 years

This bottle was distilled in 1994 and aged for 27 years in American hogshead refills.

Bruckladdich Distillery ceased production in 1994 and restarted in 2001, so this is the unblended whiskey from before the suspension.

I felt wheat, meat, apple, and mint.

I've had about 3 different types of Brookladdich before it went on hiatus, and I think it's a barley and delicious bottle with a similar taste to those.

Personally, I would go for Glen Cadam, Brookladdich, or Glen Moray if you want to enjoy the taste of wheat.

The price is quite high at 70,000 yen, but I think the taste is worth it.

I feel like I would have bought it in 1992, the year I was born.

4th: Meek Thor

Meikle Toll has finally arrived in Japan.

You're talking about peated Glen Allahee.

『Meikle Tòir” At first glance, I was confused as to how to read it, but since the official import agent in Japan gives it a name based on how it would be called in Japan, I feel like I have finally decided on Meikle Toll.

In the past, before an official import agent was found, Caol Ila was called by different names, such as Caol Ila, and Glen Garioch, which you can't read at first glance, was called by other names, such as Glengarry, and Ardnamrchan, etc., sounds a little different when you watch videos from overseas.

Three types were released in Japan: Original, Sherry, and Chinkapin.

I drank all of them, but out of these three, Chinkapin was the most delicious.

A 70ppm heavily peated type is also available overseas, so that is something to be concerned about as well.

Meek Thor the Chinkapin 5 years

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5th bottle: Boutique Whiskey Islay Distillery 29 Years Old

The contents are Laphroaig.

This bottle was distilled in 1993 and aged for 29 years with an octave finish of Oloroso sherry.

I think it's a long-ripening rough with a weak peat and yellow fruit.

The price is 55,000 yen

Boutique whiskey is bottled in 500ml, so if you multiply it by 1.4 and convert it to 700ml, it will cost 77,000 yen, which is quite expensive.

Considering that Asaya Shoten and Shinanoya's single cask Williamson (Laphroaig) released in April was 55,000 yen for 2017, and Whiskey Hoop and Kyoto Fine Wine and Spirits' Laphroaig released last year were priced at around 100,000 yen for 2018, this may be cheap.

You can really taste the yellow fruit of long-ripened Islay, so if you're interested, please give it a try.

I feel like I would have bought this if my birth year was 1992.

6th: Clynelish 1997 25 Years For THREE RIVERS 20th Anniversary

Clynelish is released by Three Rivers.

This bottle was distilled in 1997 and aged for 25 years.

It's called a hogshead, but I think it's sherry in terms of color and taste.

There was a strong sense of sherry, berries, candy-like sweetness, powderiness, strawberry jam, and a hint of barrel.

Delicious is delicious, but if you use sherry, don't you think it doesn't have to be Clynelish? That's what I personally thought.

Personally, I think it was easier to understand Clynelish by Campbelltown Loch and Silence Bar, which were released in February.

I haven't tried it yet, but is it the long-ripened Clynelish or Brora from Shinanoya? has been released, so I think there will be more Clynelish releases this year.

Closing Thoughts

I think there were some good releases in March as well.

I also participated in Whiskey Harbor Kobe in April, so there are some interesting releases such as event-limited bottles and bottles for the Kobe Hankyu and British exhibitions held the week before.

In April, prices at Suntory and Nikka were significantly increased, and prices at bottlers are also increasing.

I think the combination of soaring prices and the weak yen is really hurting.

So these days, there are many popular bottles that you can't buy, and even if you can buy them, they're extremely expensive. .

However, if you go to a bar, I think you can get a half shot for around 15,000 yen, even if you include all of the drinks I introduced this time, so I'll keep an eye on popular bottles like that.