Ohishi 8 Year Sherry Cask Whisky

A delicate Japanese Whisky from the Ohishi Distillery in Kyushu, Japan, crafted with organic mochi rice from Kumamoto and gohyakumanishi rice. Aged for 8 years in Sherry casks before being bottled at 42.2% ABV. It presents an aromatic beginning with notes of Sherry, oak, citrus, ash, and dried dark fruits; while a dry and woody maturation adds more notes of Sherry, dried dark fruits, vanilla, citrus, and oily nuts; culminating in a long and spicy conclusion with notes of Sherry, cocoa, dark fruits, cinnamon, tobacco, and furniture polish. February 2021 / August 2022

I received this from a tasting selection box. I usually prefer Scotch, and this fits right into what I like. It's very pleasing overall. Smell: sweet sherry and dark fruits, brown sugar, some sharper citrus and spice notes Taste: sharp and sweet, a little oily, a sherry explosion with darker sugar notes, some oak bitterness Finish: dry spices and lingering, medium warmth

Superb, complex aroma with notes of almond, plum, pear, vanilla, and sherry; the palate has almond, oak, and sherry that is enjoyable, but not as striking as the scent; quite dry; rather thin; smooth; the short finish offers sherry, oak, and a touch of vanilla; overall a magnificent sherry-aged whisky, albeit rather dry

Nose - creamy caramel, sweet fruits, malty grain cereals, peppery, no smokiness detected. Taste - sherry, oak, shortbread cookies, subtle floral notes. Finish - somewhat short with some sweet fruitiness. Easy to drink but not remarkably complex in my opinion.

This is the second rice spirit I've tried, and I liked both. It's smooth and sweet, initially reminding me of butterscotch. After a few more sips, vanilla and sherry become more noticeable, with a fruity and spicy finish. I definitely enjoyed it.

A touch sharp. I added 1ml of water to a 50ml measure to soften it. It might need more. Hints of leather and vanilla. Woody with a subtle lingering sweetness.