Mars Kasei

Nose: Delicate with hints of honey, reminiscent of Ancnoc 12. Smooth, bright fruit accompanied by floral undertones and a subtle savory/smoky character. Palate: Very smooth, confirming the green apple and grape notes previously observed. A minuscule amount of honey and a touch of pepper as it develops. A rice grain characteristic emerges over time, with a more pronounced honey presence towards the end. After allowing it to rest and returning to it, the flavors intensified significantly, revealing more stewed apple and pear notes along with a slightly savory malt. Hints of butterscotch are present. Finish: Gently malty, with vanilla. Transitions to a richer, darker sweetness. Overall: Quite pleasant, though perhaps a bit too subtle for my preference. I'd be interested to experience it at a higher proof to ascertain if the honey and savory elements become more prominent. Following the aeration period, the rating increased from 2.75 to 3. A good choice for regular enjoyment.

My nose is confused upon approaching the glass. This whiskey is almost scentless. A distant hint of ripe yellow fruits. Vanilla and a whiff of kale. I don't anticipate much flavor. The taste is a complete surprise. Very light and quite lively. Abundant fruit, raisins, dates, and cream cheese. There's a touch of acidity, like an unripe raspberry. Very smooth. Oak. A pleasant dryness. The aftertaste has lots of wood, some tannins, and licorice. Quite potent but the burn is gentle. Honestly, this bottle isn't anything remarkable, but it's quite unusual due to the lack of aroma and the acidity in the flavor. 3.5 stars, with the extra 0.5 for the surprise:-)

Opened at an event in Pula. A pale brownish-golden hue. The aroma is subtly vanilla, fruity, with hints of orange, caramel, and smoke, reminiscent of rum. It feels a bit rough on the tongue initially, with oak and smoke, followed by sweet vanilla and dried fruit. A sourish raisin, green apple, and ripe apple note appears in the background. Oak is present in the finish. The texture is slick, the mouthfeel medium and quite rich, leading to a sweet-sour conclusion.

The nose has vanilla and oak. The palate has nicely balanced flavors of vanilla, a little fruit and oak that transition into a pleasant warm burn. This was a nice introduction to Japanese whisky, and I'll probably try others soon!

Wonderfully smooth, with a delicate body featuring hints of honey and grape. A delightful drink to enjoy without any harshness. The sweetness builds over time, making it quite pleasant.

Notes of pear and grass, with a hint of sea air. The taste is a blend of sweet and savory. The finish has a slight sharp edge.