Sakurao – 1st Release Cask Strength Japanese Single Malt Whisky (2021) (70cl, 54%)

This is the first release from Sakurao, a Japanese single malt bottled at cask strength, 54% ABV, in a 70cl bottle. Sakurao was founded in 2018 by Chugoku Juzo, a company established in 1918 that began with shochu, sake, mirin and liqueurs. The distillery was set up to mark that 100th anniversary, with a hybrid still that can make grain whisky as well as gin. The nose has ripe grapes, orange and bitter chocolate. The palate is sweet vanilla with smoky undertones, subtle spice and moderate bitterness, and the finish is woody and smoky with deep sweetness.