Dewar's Japanese Smooth

The second of Dewars ‘smooth’ selections from a friend. It's an okay but unremarkable opening from the ‘Illegal Smooth’, now followed by the ‘Japanese Smooth’. Mizunara casks are quite special, rare, costly, and steeped in tradition. However, they can be easily mishandled. I hope the sandalwood aromas, and coconut-honey sweetness and light body that Mizunara can provide are well incorporated into this pour… Nose: Predominantly a mild tannic and earthy sweetness, with a slight alcohol sting. I detect the faintest hint of orange oil alongside a light biscuit malt and gentle honey. It's surprisingly light and ‘aromatic’, but I can't identify any specific aromas beyond malt-honey and the slightest touch of orange. Certainly not the exceptional Mizunara quality I was anticipating. Palate: A bit thin but moving towards creamy. The most prominent characteristic early on is an almost potpourri-like fragrance. Sandalwood, sweet plum, herbal aniseed, and cinnamon are present. The texture and flavor evolve into a toasty profile with a spice that builds to a raw ginger warmth. The sheer abundance of floral and aromatic intensity makes this quite distinctive to me. Finish: Brief. Sweet malt, diluted honey, faint peppery spice, and a grainy texture upon exiting. Wow, this seems to be the most extreme instance of aromatic florals on the palate I've encountered in a whisky. Frankly, it's like having perfume sprayed directly onto your tongue. Are you certain you put the correct spirit in the bottle?! There's a clear carry-over in this dram to the ‘Illegal Smooth’. The mass-produced qualities of a weak nose with a slight burn, thin palate texture, and short finish with a grainy exit are directly comparable. While the Illegal Smooth had a subtle Mezcal influence, the Mizunara appears to be more strongly applied here. The aromas are present but not in the way I expected, nor with the refinement I would anticipate from such revered wood. Nevertheless, I genuinely enjoyed this and would gladly keep a bottle on hand for casual sipping as an interesting novelty without concern for cost or careful consideration. Thanks again to my friend. Whisky tasting #249 [Pictured here with a replica of H0mo habilis (KNM-ER1813). This replica is of a 1.9 million year old specimen discovered in 1973 at Koobi Fora, Kenya. Despite there being arguments over whether this small 1.3 m tall primate belongs to H0mo or Austalopithecines they are remarkable for likely use of stone tools. Despite their ‘ape-like’ morphologies multiple remains of the species have been found alongside primitive stone tools. These tools are often stone flakes used for butchering and skinning animals. Coincident with a major climate shift that saw forests and water-ways replaced with arid savannahs, these tools gave H. habilis a fitness where other primates could not survive. Despite the controversy over correct genus attributions it is commonly thought that H. habilis is the ancestor to the H. ergaster which in turn led to the human-appearing H0mo erectus.]

Nose: Initially quite shy and reserved, the nose builds momentum over time, becoming quite sweet. Light honey, subtle vanilla, mild malt, a touch of peach and apricot, with a slowly developing buttery note. Mizunara wood aroma is minimal, but the whisky is softer and more rounded than other entry-level Dewars, possessing a fragrant quality. In a blind comparison of Dewars blends, its soft character would be noticeable, but its attribution to mizunara casks would likely be uncertain. Palate: Light, predominantly cereal and thin honey notes with some soft stone fruits upon entry. Mild ginger spice appears briefly mid-palate before vanishing. Very easy to drink with a good texture for an affordable blend, featuring a full, almost creamy consistency. Finish: Short. Semi-sweet cereal with a faint spicy aftertaste. This is an average blended scotch, but to be fair, it has no objectionable qualities and is highly approachable. It can be enjoyed neat as a sipping whisky, placing it above average. It performs well as a mixer, though the subtle mizunara influence is lost in that context. If attending a barbecue with friends who enjoy occasional spirits but aren't dedicated whisky enthusiasts, it would be an excellent choice for sharing. It would also be suitable as a final drink of the night for those seeking something exceptionally soft and easy for relaxation. I somewhat agree with some of the official tasting notes, but I believe the assessment is a bit harsh and the score is somewhat low. I was initially planning to rate this 79/100 but found myself enjoying my tasting sample more and more as I wrote, prompting an increase of one percentage point. For the price, it offers fair value. I missed the opportunity to purchase the Dewar’s Caribbean Cask, but I do possess the Ilegal Mezcal and Portuguese Port Cask finished blends. Reviews will follow soon. "Above Average": 80/100 (3 stars)

Surprisingly substantial legs run down the glass. Appears quite oily. The aroma strikes me as very sulfuric: like broccoli or cabbage water. Despite only being 40% ABV, the alcohol is noticeable; it carries a distinct rubbing alcohol scent. There are undertones of coconut, lemongrass, and even a stinging citrus note in the nose. The flavor is coconut and sugary crème brûlée. A vegetal and earthy element. More of that indistinct citrus flavor which has a real sharpness. There's more burn going down than anticipated, but the heat is contained within a slippery and buttery texture. The finish is dark chocolate and chocolate orange. It's unpleasantly astringent and metallic; comparable to touching your tongue to a 9-volt battery. (You know the sensation.) There's a faint trace of tobacco ash, but it's predominantly sharp and bitter long after swallowing. This is a surprisingly bitter drink. It's not entirely disagreeable, and it offers good value. Likely a one-time purchase but a satisfactory one.

A bitter, oaky, and tannic sensation at the conclusion of the palate detracts from the otherwise pleasantly unremarkable 8-year-old Dewar's foundation. The mizunara's influence is quite faint, though there's a trace of it – more like sweet mango and allspice than sandalwood, and even that is barely perceptible. It possesses a very buttery character, which, along with the honey in the Dewar's base, offers some redemption. I'd opt for the 12-year-old at the same price. I paid $24.99 but will likely pass on this again; there's just not much happening here. I recently discovered that Chivas mizunara has been discontinued, which is unfortunate as I had grown quite fond of it. This bottling doesn't even come close to that one, though it is $25 less expensive.

The fourth offering in Dewars' 'smooth' range, Japanese Smooth is an eight-year-old Dewar's with an additional six-month finishing period in Japanese mizunara oak casks. Priced at $25 with 40% ABV. Similar to the other smooth releases, this is very easy to drink. Initially, I wasn't particularly fond of it due to a bitter, oaky dryness on the finish. However, after being open for a few days, the bitter-oaky notes have softened, allowing the floral, honey, and toffee flavors to emerge, along with a hint of cinnamon on the finish. Overall, I enjoy it. It provides an inexpensive opportunity to experience a mizunara-finished whisky.

This spirit offers more than its "77" rating suggests. The Japanese Mizunara oak makes a noticeable impact on both the taste and the aroma, presenting notes of toasted sandalwood and brown sugar. The palate is very balanced, featuring core Scotch flavors like butterscotch, hay, oak, and grain, enhanced by the Mizunara's distinct oak profile and scent. In summary, it's a fantastic budget-friendly blended Scotch for introducing oneself or others to the effect of Japanese oak without the expense of Japanese whisky or even some other blended Scotches with a comparable oak finish. I'd rate it 8/10, and I would gladly drink it whenever it's served.