Yamazakura Fine Blended Japanese Whisky (70cl, 40%)

A blended Japanese whisky from Sasanokawa Shuzo, a small distillery that has recently set up the Asaka Whisky Distillery under the same company. It is bottled at 40% in a 70cl bottle. The company's own distilling has followed the boom and bust cycles of the Japanese whisky market, with imported bulk spirit replacing its own production at times. The nose is orange blossom. The palate brings oak, caramel and fresh orchard fruit, with a gentle, upfront sweetness. The finish carries dark chocolate.