Hakushu – Distiller's Reserve (70cl, 43%)

This is a Suntory whisky from the Hakushu distillery in Japan, bottled at 43% in a 70cl bottle. It is blended from malt and grain whiskies made at the Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries. Young, lightly peated malts are combined with older, heavily peated ones, and the whisky is matured in American oak casks. The colour is pale straw gold. The nose is grassy and mildly fruity over a malty vanilla base. The palate is soft and round, light to medium in weight, with cereal, vanilla and gentle spice that carries into a persistent aftertaste.