Matsui The Kurayoshi Pure Malt (70cl, 43%)

Matsui The Kurayoshi Pure Malt is a blended malt made only from malted barley, with no grain whisky in the vatting. The whiskies come from more than one distillery in Scotland and Japan, and the blend was put together at Kurayoshi Distillery in Tottori, with Mount Daisen spring water used to bring it to strength. It is matured in white oak casks and bottled at 43% without chill filtration, in a 700ml bottle. It was a Category Winner at the World Whiskies Awards 2024. The nose is fresh and sweet with malt and a fruity lift. On the palate, raisin and nut sit against vanilla, with a clean, faintly bitter oak edge. The finish is mild yet deep, with floral barley.