Hakushu Distillery Release

Nose: Caramel, baked apples & oats, flat cola, roasted sweet nuts. Taste: Baked apples, ginger heat, cola fizz & sweet, sweet chestnuts. Finish: Sweet cola, lingering sweet roasted nuts. Score: 84/100. Final Thoughts: The characteristic pine forest aroma I associate with standard Hakushu offerings is notably absent here. This seems like an unpeated Hakushu, possibly aged in heavily reused Spanish oak, as I detect faint hints of raisins and fruit, though not strongly. It's not unpleasant or off-putting, just somewhat dull. However, it delivers considerable flavor for only 43% ABV. Would I drink it if offered? Yes. Would I specifically order it? Perhaps. Would I buy a bottle? No. Note: All reviews are conducted without considering price. The distillery is Suntory Hakushu, and the edition is 01337299.