Shizuoka Pot Still W Japanese Barley 1st Edition (70cl, 55.5%)

This is the first edition of Shizuoka's Pot Still W, a Japanese single malt made only from Japanese malted barley and distilled in the direct wood-fired wash still W. It is bottled at 55.5% without chill-filtration or added colour, in a 70cl bottle. The unpeated spirit matured for around four years in ex-bourbon barrels only. Every distillate comes from the same wash still, which makes it a single wash still whisky as well as a single malt. It was released at the end of May 2023, and 2,500 bottles were planned for the Japanese market. The nose offers vanilla and creamy sweetness with a toasted note recalling choux pastry. The palate shows cream puffs, crème brûlée and barley sweetness. The finish brings vanilla and estery notes with pleasant roasted tones.