Asian Whisky Tasting - A Review

Tastings are back after our summer break and busier than ever!

A sold out Thursday night, we had Alberto Ladu in to take us through some of our Asian range with Whisky from Japan, India & Taiwan.

It was great to reacquaint the palate with these gems.

In this line of work, it is hard to not to brush things aside in the pursuit of something new/different and to leave past favorite’s sitting on the shelf. We have for many years sung the praises of Nikka, who have been in the business of whisky for almost 100 years.

On show were Yoichi & Miyagikyo, two distinct distillery styles one upfront, fruity, and creamy, the other with a savoury, smoky edge.

Then we tried Taketsuru. A homage to the creator of the company which blends the above two into a completely new whisky with characteristics from both, but very much its own style. An example of the fine art of blending whisky.

Onto Amrut from India. Their standard single malt is produced from Indian barley. It hasn’t been modified like European barley and has a different mouthfeel and flavour. I really enjoyed its oily, grainy texture.

Their ‘Fusion’ whisky has gone on to receive many medals & plaudits from the industry. This uses a blend of Indian and peated Scottish barley that produces a rich, fruity, spicy whisky with a soft smoky edge.

Last but not least was one of the new kids on the block. Kavalan Solist vinho barrique from Taiwan. Bottled at a hefty 57.1% cask strength. Rich, woody and spicy with fruit notes inherited from both red and white wine cask maturation.

Again, this is an award winning distillery achieving World’s Best Single Malt at the 2015 World Whiskies Awards, no less!

All the above split the crowd in terms of drinkability which is par for the course. I think I will have to return to all of them soon just to refresh and reappraise!

Our wine tasting on Thurs 28th is now SOLD OUT but ......................

We have our Winter wine tasting on Thurs 30th November.

Tickets available instore and here.

Until next time, Cheers!

Marcus.