Mars Iwai Tradition Haru Sakura Cask Finish (75cl, 40%)

Iwai Tradition Haru is a blended Japanese whisky from Mars Shinshu, also known as Mars Komagatake, in Nagano. It is an annual release, finished for a further six months in Sakura casks made from Japanese cherry blossom wood. The whisky is distilled from 70% malted barley and 30% corn, and was aged mainly in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. The Sakura casks come from Ariake Sangyo, Japan's only independent cooperage. It is bottled at 40% and is non-chill-filtered. The nose offers honey, straw and apricot jam with floral highlights. The palate has a brandy-like roundness, and the finish brings cotton candy and ripe red berries.