Suntory 1982-1987, "zza whisky", Ceramic decanter, (Hibiki 30 Year Old Aritayaki Limited Edition Decanter), 43% abv.
Very rare bottle in very good condition according to the bartender. Bartender said this was the "number 1 whisky in Japan". No information on the decanter, not even sure about that abv or related dates. There is also a 30 year version, same or similar decanter.
Nose: light golden apples, vinegar, in between grassy/vegetative and light fruit honey, a hint of think vanilla or condensed milk, develops more depth with air time.
Palate: medium body, gets spicey, initial palate has a strong fruit honey, a sort of spice too perhaps cinnamon based(?), mid palate has the fruit honey taper off and gets closer to a weak cinnamon, light vanilla, tingles the inner cheeks, back palate has a thicker honey, very noticeable light passing of smoke which creeps into the mid palate later, body seems to get fuller. Quite strong on the attack in all phases, from beginning to end.
Finish: medium to long, a sort of fresh sugar cane to fruit honey mix, the finish gets longer with each sip.
Wow what a whisky! Made me salivate while tasting. The aromas reminded me more of a sweet Lowland Scotch but the main flavor was a well developed fruit honey sort of profile and that back end reveals an almost Hibiki-like smoke. This is well balanced, provides a full attack on the palate and finish, I wonder if this blend was cask strength? Would have benefitted from more oomph. Gonna be conservative. Sooo delicious.
Nose: light golden apples, vinegar, in between grassy/vegetative and light fruit honey, a hint of think vanilla or condensed milk, develops more depth with air time.
Palate: medium body, gets spicey, initial palate has a strong fruit honey, a sort of spice too perhaps cinnamon based(?), mid palate has the fruit honey taper off and gets closer to a weak cinnamon, light vanilla, tingles the inner cheeks, back palate has a thicker honey, very noticeable light passing of smoke which creeps into the mid palate later, body seems to get fuller. Quite strong on the attack in all phases, from beginning to end.
Finish: medium to long, a sort of fresh sugar cane to fruit honey mix, the finish gets longer with each sip.
Wow what a whisky! Made me salivate while tasting. The aromas reminded me more of a sweet Lowland Scotch but the main flavor was a well developed fruit honey sort of profile and that back end reveals an almost Hibiki-like smoke. This is well balanced, provides a full attack on the palate and finish, I wonder if this blend was cask strength? Would have benefitted from more oomph. Gonna be conservative. Sooo delicious.
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