Mars Komagatake, Nature of Shinshu, Shinanotanpopo, 52% abv.

Supposedly a mix of old and young whiskies, a combination of 3 year old Tsunuki with 1999-2011? Shinsu aged whisky, but some online sources say some of the casks were over 20 year olds. Supposedly "Shinanotanpopo" means dandelion.

Nose: grapes, oily, more of a light champagne or white wine smell.

Palate: a little dry, very sweet, grapes plus chemicals, like light white wine poured into a copper cup, sugarcane residue, a slight bitter wood in the background.

Finish: short to medium, generally sweet.

I thought this was too sweet, almost cringing sometimes just because of the sweetness. When I mean sweet, not like a sugar/syrup type, not like a raw rum, not like a real sherry, and not like a fruit roll-up type of sweetness, but a version of sweet that blends with alcohol spice (usually grapes or apples). Hard to believe its 52% abv though, feels more heavy.

Grade: B-

Whiskyfun.com, Serge Valentin, sgp:361, 80 points

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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