Kirin Fuji 50th Anniversary Single Malt Japanese Whisky (70cl, 52%)

This is a single malt marking 50 years of whisky making at the Fuji Gotemba distillery, in a 70cl bottle at about 52% ABV. It brings together malt whiskies from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s, including spirit distilled in 1973, the year production began. Master Blender Jota Tanaka assembled the blend, and it was released in limited quantities. The nose is sweet and fragrant, with caramel, brown sugar syrup, apricot and melon. The palate is smooth and mellow, with dried pineapple and white peach tart. The finish is long and sweet, with luscious barrel-aged flavours and woody spice.