Shinobu 15 Year Old Pure Malt Whisky

As with much of what passes for Japanese whisky, the spirit for this one was not produced in Japan, it was however matured there for at least some of its life. This “pure malt”, a term no longer allowed in Scotland, means it is a blend of different single malts, or a Blended Malt. The sourced whiskies, almost certainly Scottish, where matured in ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry before marrying and gfinishing in Mizunara, Japanese Oak. 43%. Tasting Notes Nose: salted caramel, raisins, dates and figs; firm new leather, fruity tobacco and candied nuts; chocolate covered espresso beans and Twizzlers black licorice. Palate: round, fruity and spicy; more salted caramel, firm new leather, Twizzlers Black and salty Dutch licorice; a trace of juicy malt, dried dark fruits and more chocolate covered espresso; drying and spicy with more cinnamon sticks, ginger root and fennel. Finish: medium long, coating, drying and spicy; elegant but subtle. Comment: the Mizunara oak notes do not come through quite as prominently for me on the 15 as they did on the 10 year; this is a more mature, austere and understated malt.