Mars Komagatake, 2012-2015, Campbeltown Loch 15th Anniversary Tour, American White Oak Cask No. 1559, 614 bottles, 58% abv.

Supposedly a lightly peated shinsu, private cask.

Nose: some wood, smoked bacon without the oily aspects, or cold grilled pork belly.

Palate: initial sweetness becomes a light smoked wood on the midpalate. After a few sips, all aspects are amplified, the frontal honey rush is more intense, the smoke becomes more prevalent and carries peat with it.

Finish: short to medium, hickory. Its weird though, sometimes the finish is a bunch of sweetness, then after the next sip its hickory smoke in the olfactory, then the next sip its honey juice... weird.

An interesting one! The smoke and peat elements take a supporting role at first, but after some time and some sips, the smoke and peat step forward. The sweet honey is also there, just enough to remind you it's presence. Very interesting stages. The best of the of the Komagatake bunch tonight.

Grade: B+

Couldn't find quantifiable, reliable reviews.

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

🇭🇰 🇺🇸(LA, SF) -> 🇯🇵 (京都, 東京) -> 🇰🇷 (서울, 부산)