Taketsuru 12 Years Old Pure Malt (40%, OB, 2015)

• Blended Japanese malt whisky
• 40% ABV
• Score: 84/100

What they say:

Fresh and balanced, the 12 year old Taketsuru bottling is a perfect entry point into the world of Japanese whisky. Its ripe, seemingly sweet aromas combine with the silky smooth texture on the palate for a mellow, relaxing experience.

What I say:

Thanks to Richard (WOLS President) & Carrie for sharing this with us during a tasting evening. Back to the Japanese whisky and this time a Pure Malt (blended malt) from Nikka. Aged 12 years and named after their father of whisky Masatake Taketsuru. Unlike in Scotland, Japanese whisky producing companies appear reluctant to trade whisky with each other – meaning that this expression most likely consists of malt whisky produced at Nikka’s Japanese distilleries Miyagikyo and Yoichi.

Colour:

Rose/amber gold, light tears

Nose:

Mid sweet, cereal and grain, gently fruity with ripe apple and plum, toffee, caramel and vanilla fudge from the oak wood

Taste:

Fudge, butterscotch and toffee, plum sauce, a little spiced with Chinese 5 spice; cinnamon, star anise, fennel, cloves, nutmeg, Szechuan pepper and ginger, vanilla custard/crème brulee, bakewell tart (almond tart with cherry)

Finish:

Short-medium, toffee predominates

Overall:

A lovely blended malt, typically Japanese with lots of contrasting but strangely complimentary flavours, salt and sweet, fruit and spice. Well constructed and enjoyable – a good session dram.