Shindo – Experimental for CORES.03 (70cl, 50%)

Shindo Experimental for CORES.03 is the third release in the CORES series, which builds on the distillery's Experimental series. A non-peated spirit aged in new AWO casks is the key malt, and four years after maturation began it shows a green, forest-like aroma that the distillery attributes to terpenes. Seven spirits are blended in all, including peated spirit and unpeated spirit matured in Mizunara. The casks are 36% peated bourbon, 24% new AWO, 12% unpeated bourbon, 14% sherry-seasoned, 6% Mizunara, 4% Oloroso sherry and 4% cognac. It is bottled at 50% ABV in a 70cl bottle. On the nose, fresh green notes and vanilla from new oak meet fragrant peat, like clear water running over forest moss, before moving on to sweet pudding and slightly bitter hojicha.