Wakatsuru Saburomaru Junenmyo Rouge Japanese Whisky (46%)

Wakatsuru Saburomaru Junenmyo Rouge is a blended Japanese whisky from the Saburomaru Distillery in Toyama Prefecture, bottled at 46% ABV. It combines peated malt from Saburomaru with aged grain whiskies, and more than half of the blend is malt. The distillery is known for its cast-iron pot still, Zemon. The name nods to Junenmyo, a village near the distillery once known for canola fields grown for lamp oil, and the whisky is meant to warm the heart like a gentle lamp light. Pale gold in colour, it has a nose of gentle coastal smoke, earthy peat, honey and malted barley. The palate opens with ashy peat and smouldering embers, then turns to caramel, vanilla and candied orange peel. The finish is medium-long, with sweet malt and wood smoke.