Thanks for the patience during my hiatus; I'm just finally able to start up with this blog again. I will be easing back in with shorter reviews before launching into my usual (excessively?) long format. Today, we have two whiskies from Japan. Those of you less familiar with world whisky may not think that this sounds very appealing but Japan actually has a history of making great whisky dating to the 19th century. Japanese domestic whisky production is very similar to that in Scotland, relying on single malts and grain whiskies (the latter usually in blends) and using peat smoke and reused bourbon or sherry barrels for flavor. For more and excellent reading on Japanese whisky be sure to check out the blog Nonjatta.
Today's reviews will be two high-strength, reasonably priced, primarily bourbon-barrel finished blended whiskies. Though I have tended to avoid all but a very few blended Scotch whiskies, Japanese blends often pull it off really well (Hibiki is a notable example), and these two are no exception.
1. Kirin Fuji Sanroku (foot of mount Fuji) NAS blend, 50% ABV (about $15)
This one is a very well-priced "supermarket whiskey" in Japan, that I added to an order to get free shipping. I initially had very low expectations.
Nose: Vanilla, apples, grapes, grains and hints of coffee and caramel
Palate: Medium to heavy body, roasted grains, Four Roses bourbon, cooked milk and a touch of must
Finish: Fruit from the nose re-emerges, moderate burn, finishes cleanly.
Overall: This is really surprisingly good. There is no mistaking this for a single malt but the grain component here lends a nice, heavy mouthfeel and the bourbon presence lends really pleasant floral and vanilla notes (I presume that the bourbon barrels used were from Four Roses, also owned by Kirin, and you can really smell the similarity). Often, when it is hot and I want a whisky with ice that I do not need to think too hard about I will order a Johnny Walker Black; this does about the same thing for me, for much cheaper. 82/100
2. Nikka Whisky "From the Barrel" NAS blend 51.45% ABV (about $30)
I first had this whiskey in Reims, after a day of champagne tasting. Just writing that makes me pine for my pre-child life a bit... Anyway, The FTB is a marriage of malt and grain whiskies from Nikka's two distilleries, Yoichi (Hokkaido) and Miyagikyo (Honshu). The whiskies are vatted together and "recasked" for additonal aging, then bottled directly from the cask. Unlike the Kirin, this whisky is relatively well-known and gets great reviews, including frequent World Whisky Awards.
Nose: Incense/spices, apricots, citrus peels, vanilla, and faint solvent and perfume notes
Palate: Sherry, butter, roasted nuts, vanilla, malt and milk chocolate. Alcohol well in check and medium-bodied.
Finish: Seamlessly trails of from the palate for a few minutes. Despite the high strength, this warms rather than burns.
Overall: This stuff is just great. It holds its alcohol percentage very well and provides a much more nuanced and polished presentation than the Kirin. At the same time, it has a complexity and power that keep it from being a smooth, boring whiskey. Though not stated on the packaging or website, there seems to be a definite sherry influence here in addition to bourbon barrel. There are also some oak notes here that seem really rather exotic; I don't know that any of this was aged in the famed Mizunara oak, but I'd not be surprised. I'd love to know the cooperage regime here, as it is truly pretty interesting. 89/100
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In much the same way that the Japanese seem to be able to turn out a high-quality, reasonably-priced version of just about everything, these 2 blends absolutely destroy any blended Scotch competitor even close to their price range. The Kirin can totally replace any inexpensive blended scotch for on-the-rocks drinking, and I would imagine the Four Roses nose would also appeal to bourbon drinkers. The Nikka is also just a stunning value: though a blended malt, I think it can hold its own with any unpeated scotch up to easily twice its price. The only real problem I see with either of them is that they are not imported into the US.
Next up will be a less glowing review...
Nice post, glad you are back!
ReplyDeleteOut of curiousity, have you considered using an alternative scoring system? We're working on refining ours, and I'd be curious as to what you think. We're trying to do some whisky reviews as well, although I think I have a few things to learn before I can match your palate.
http://www.weftyandmash.com/p/archive-whiskey.html
"Kirin Fuji Sanroku" is a whiskey launched by Kirin Brewery Company in Japan. Named after Mount Fuji, this whiskey embodies elements of Japanese culture and tradition. Here is some general information about Kirin Fuji Sanroku:
ReplyDeleteProduction: Kirin Fuji Sanroku is a whiskey produced in Japan, manufactured by Kirin Brewing Company.
Raw materials: This whiskey usually uses a variety of grains such as barley as raw materials.
Taste: Kirin Fuji Sanroku is described as balanced and soft, with some fruit and vanilla notes. It usually has a refreshing and elegant style.
Packaging: This whiskey is often designed to reflect Japanese aesthetics and may feature elaborate packaging and label designs.
Popularity: Kirin Fuji Sanroku is very popular in Japan and some international markets, and is favored by many whiskey lovers.