Yamazaki, 2000-2010, The Owner's Cask, Bar Cafe Ciroru Tokyo Numabukuro, Ohmi Aging Cellar, Barrel Cask Number EU 70121, Bottling Number 078, 55% abv.

A peated whisky (according to the bartender). This one seems to be a popular bottle at bars in Japan as I've seen it posted multiple times. No idea why Malt Bar Southpark is on the back.

Nose: initially peat, almost like a watered down heavy peat, coastal, retreats to salt and pork belly though.

Palate: initial palate is sweet, mid palate has a good amount of honey, but becomes dry and sour, back palate has the peat come out, burnt wood, can feel the coastal salt coming.

Finish: dry, fresh muffins, butter, burnt wood, can feel the abv effect on this one.

Dry glass: dried fish and wax.

I admit I'm generally not a fan of The Owner's Cask, with the exception of a few crazy amazing bottlings, but this one is not bad. The finish is quite interesting and gives me a glimpse of a peated Yama. Usually these peated ones are so light, but this one has a decent amount just to show the taster it's there. Its quite well balanced. For a 10 year it is quite amazing.

Grade: B

Whiskyfun.com, Serge, sgp:566, 92 points

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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