Yamazakura Fine Blended Whisky (70cl, 40%)

This is a blended whisky from Sasanokawa Shuzo, a small distillery in Japan, bottled at 40% in a 70cl bottle. The company's own distillation has been through the booms and busts of the Japanese whisky market, with imported bulk spirit replacing its own production at times. The nose has orange blossom. On the palate there is oak, caramel and fresh orchard fruit, with a sweetness up front that lingers. The whisky is gentle, and the finish brings dark chocolate.