Karuizawa – Cask Strength 1999-2000 Vintages (70cl, 60.1%)

A cask strength Japanese whisky from Karuizawa, drawn from the 1999 and 2000 vintages and bottled at 60.1% in a 70cl bottle. On the nose it shows ripe apples, apple pie with vanilla ice cream, melted butterscotch and cherry jam. The palate is medium in body, with the strength well held in check. It brings baked apple with cinnamon, cooked ginger, rancio, old leather books and preserved plums, followed by a little dark chocolate bitterness and dry tobacco. The finish is very long, as ginger and roasted apples fade into soft malt, old wood and bitter dark chocolate.