Yoichi "Peaty & Salty' 12 year Single Malt Japanese Whisky (500ml, 55%)

Martine Nouet

Nose

Phenolic and fruity. Demerara sugar, hint of molasses. Kippers on toasted bread. Ozonic. Malty sweetness.

Palate

Thick, syrupy, sweet and oily. Tar sweets, liquorice. Opening up on spices. Malty crunchiness.

Finish

Dry, fruity, spicy.

Comment

An interesting combination of fruit and peat. They don't mingle, they keep playing hide and seek. More complexity than it appears. Water makes it caressing.

Dave Broom

Nose

Initially sweet with plenty of American oak (vanilla, cream) then comes tinned apricot, something akin to a buttered scone.

Palate

Very smoky, much more than the nose suggests. An explosive peaty attack which is overlaid with intriguing floral notes: tar and blossom. Oily, yet sweet, rich but fragrant.

Finish

Iodine. Black grapes.

Comment

While the oak has grip the whole package has great balance. Excellent.