Ohishi Distillery – Sherry Cask Whisky (75cl, 40.8%)

Ohishi Sherry Cask is a Japanese whisky distilled entirely from rice and aged in sherry casks. It is bottled at 40.8% in a 750ml bottle. Ohishi Distillery stands near the Kuma River on the island of Kyushu. It uses gohyakumanishi rice and mochi rice, about 30% grown on the estate and 70% from Kumamoto prefecture, and distils in stainless steel pot stills. Koi carp in the paddies keep weeds down without herbicides. The nose is sherry sweetness, fig, raisin, citrus peel and light ash. The palate is lush and slightly oily, with golden raisins, dried cherries, apricot, vanilla, hazelnut and marzipan. The finish is long and warm, with cocoa, baking spice and dark fruit.