Sakurao – Stillman's Selection Japanese Single Malt Sherry Cask (70cl, 50%)

Sakurao Sherry Cask is a Japanese single malt from the Sakurao distillery in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, bottled at 50% in a 70cl bottle. This is a Stillman's Selection bottling. It was aged in two types of sherry hogshead, which give it a dark amber colour. The distillery lies between the Seto Inland Sea and the Chugoku Mountains, where warm sea breezes and cool mountain winds are said to speed up maturation. The nose brings raisins and cocoa. On the palate it is fruity and vinous, with dark cherry, orange and a hint of peat. The finish is woody and bittersweet, and it lingers gently.