Karuizawa – 1979/2014 35 Year Old Vintage Cask #8187 (70cl, 58.8%)

A Japanese single cask malt from Karuizawa, distilled in January 1979 and bottled in July 2014 after 35 years in an ex-bourbon cask, number 8187. It was bottled at cask strength, 58.8%, in the Vintage series, and 350 bottles were filled in 70cl size. The nose is grassy and vegetal, with earthy roots such as beetroot and celeriac, then brioche, marmalade and butterscotch. On the palate, creamy limoncello and Mandarin Imperial liqueur mingle with pipe tobacco and earthy spices. The finish is long and recalls aquavit with a touch of caraway.