Kikori Whiskey

Nose - Very clean, soft, grainy sweetness with light floral, light grass, and hints of sake, 7up, or a flat lemon/lime/citrus soda. Taste - Sweet grainy sweetness, similar to a sweet filtered sake, with gentle sugarcane funk, hints of flat lemon/lime soda, mild heat, light citrusy bitterness, and ginger beer fizz. Finish - Lingering filtered sake character, with a gentle ginger beer/7up/Sprite vibe, and lemon/pomelo zest pops right at the end. Score - 79/100 Final Thoughts - The initial color of this spirit was quite pale, but I've learned that a lack of color doesn't necessarily mean a lack of flavor. The nose immediately struck me as grain whisky, and upon further nosing, it leaned more towards a sake profile, leading me to assume it was a rice whisky. I did detect hints of rum/sugarcane funk, so perhaps a rum cask finish? On the palate, the sugarcane funk continues alongside a fizzy sensation from the heat, but with a flavor reminiscent of flat ginger beer/7up. The finish is surprisingly long, like a very filtered sake served warm with some flat 7up, which sounds rather unappealing but isn't too bad. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Perhaps Would I buy a bottle? - Likely not NOTE - All reviews are assessed without considering price.

This is unlike your typical whisky, but it's decent. You must adjust your expectations to appreciate it. My initial sip was somewhat off-putting because I wasn't anticipating the flavor profile. It had a sake taste and a floral aroma - not characteristic of a usual whisky. It lacked any peat smoke or wood essence. On my second attempt, I was prepared. I appreciated the smoother, refreshing taste. I pictured pristine flowing spring water. A light, delicate whisky with flavors of rice and perhaps floral notes?

This wasn't what I anticipated from a Japanese whiskey, which is a positive. I've sampled only a few, and some I felt were too expensive for their quality. However, this one is excellent, packed with flavor (on the nose and palate), has a very smooth texture, and a slight bite at the end. I'm not a big fan of licorice, but that subtle hint of it alongside the apple flavor is quite exceptional.

My first impression, which persists, is chocolate-covered cherries, leaning more towards the cherry aspect. Vanilla and licorice notes follow on the finish. It's quite delicate and thins out rapidly when served over ice. This could work well in an Old Fashioned for someone who typically avoids bourbon.

The color is very pale, and the texture is quite oily. It has a very delicate aroma, intensely floral and subtle. The palate is similar, except for a candy-like finish that brings taffy to mind. A faint cocoa note is also present. Overall, it stands out as one of the better examples of affordable Japanese craft whiskey.

To be honest, I'm not really into this one. It's very mild and doesn't feel like a whisky at all, in my opinion (even though it technically is). You can certainly detect the rice, but there's not much else noteworthy. Considering the cost, you can find significantly better options. I won't be purchasing this again.