Hanyu 14, 2000-2014, Salon de Shimaji, Ichiro's Malt Pen × Shinanoya, 3rd Release, Mizunara Heads No. 1504, 37/293, 57.7% abv.

Katsuhiko Shimaji, former editor at Playboy Japan, opened a unique whisky and cigar bar named Salon de SHIMAJI in Tokyo with strong connections in the Japanese whisky industry. Supposedly, he also had a series with the Salon de SHIMAJI name in the "pen" magazine/book series. These uniquely recognizable artistic black labels show his selections and diversity for essentially a one man show. Anyone know details about his stuff?

Nose: vanilla/toast, a little buttery, light white grape juice.

Palate: buttery, black pepper with light spice and heat, is it peaty on the mid and back palate? Gets older on the back palate.

Finish: short, a light buttery sweetness, but nothing much going on.

It's a unique one that seems to offer a variety of flavors. Not sure where the mizunara influence is, but then again I still have no concrete idea what a mizunara influenced whisky actually tastes like.

Grade: B

Couldn't find quantifiable, reliable reviews.