Golden Blue The Summit

An intriguing bottle from Korea, the nation known for Soju. My initial thought was that Koreans might not have developed a palate for fine single malt whiskies, given the scarcity of Korean Whiskey available in the US. While this is somewhat accurate, a friend who recently visited Korea mentioned that more Koreans are starting to appreciate and enjoy fine whiskey. Golden Blue "The Summit" represents one of Korea's distilleries' attempts at producing a super premium blended scotch. The spirit's taste reflects its proof, which is significantly lower than what we typically find in western whiskies, bottled at 36.5% ABV. The aroma and flavor are akin to a much mellower and sweeter Buchanan's Deluxe, minus the odd mustiness. It is mild and fruity, with flavors of dark pitted fruits like cherries and prunes. It's a bit one-dimensional but not bad at all. A wonderful, easy-drinking choice for a warm summer evening. The bottle includes a peculiar slow-pour spout, though thankfully it's not the frustrating ball type found on Buchanan's. If this is indicative of Korea's whiskey production, I anticipate seeing more easy-drinking blended scotches that could rival labels like Johnnie Walker Black Label.