
January 13, 2017

Two humble Japanese blends

Two newish NAS Japanese blends that are actually quite expensive. Not much hope, but let’s try them with an open mind…

Yamazakura (40%, OB, Japanese blend, +/-2016)

This one from Sasanokawa Shuzo Distillery. I don’t think such a distillery exists, though, this is more or less the same situation as that of quite a few ‘distilleries’ in the US. What some call ‘NDPs’, meaning non-distilling producers. Oh and I would love to know what Suntory and Yamazaki are thinking of this venture. Colour: gold. Nose: very dry, cardboardy, with some pear (youth!) that makes it a little nicer, but the whole remains very simple. Mouth: hot, cardboardy, spirity, with salty touches. A grassy and bitter side that’s rather unpleasant. Finish: short, with more pears – which is a little better. Comments: kind of acceptable, and the bottle is lovely. But at 50€, I think it’s two times too expensive for what it is. SGP:341 - 70 points.

Super Nikka ‘Revival’ (43%, OB, Japanese blend, +/-2016)

Some kind of expensive replica bottling that’s ‘guaranteed matured in wood’ on the label. And of course, both ‘rare’ and ‘old’. Colour: gold. Nose: in truth this is relatively ‘nice’. Dry and cardboardy, as expected, but there are some fruits. Pears, for example. And cut grass. I’m not feeling very inspired. Perhaps a little cedar wood? Mouth: relatively good, rather spicy, but still a little tea-ish and cardboardy. Notes of caramel and corn syrup. A little malt as well, kumquats… Indeed, relatively good. Finish: a little short, but pleasantly cake-y. Some honey and lemon liqueur in the aftertaste. Comments: a very good blend for sure, but I’m not sure it’s worth 50-60€. SGP:451 - 78 points.

Check the index of all Japanese whiskies I've tasted so far