Nagahama – Single Malt 2018/2023 4 Year Old Sake Cask Finish #0137 (50cl, 57.5%)

This is a four-year-old single malt from the Nagahama distillery in Japan, finished in a cask that previously held Junmai Daiginjo sake. The spirit was distilled on 23 August 2018 and spent about three years in a bourbon cask before moving into the sake cask. In 2023, 351 bottles of 50cl were filled from cask 0137 at 57.5%. The whisky is not chill-filtered and has no added colouring. The nose is soft vanilla and white flowers with fresh lemongrass and a herbal hint of rice. On the palate, a dry texture meets restrained sweetness, with creamy vanilla, pear and raisins alongside sage, jasmine and nutmeg. Pear and grape fruit last into the long finish, together with vanilla, white blossom and a fine spice.