Ohishi Islay Cask Finish Whisky

An elegant Japanese whisky from Ohishi Distillery, made with organic mochi and rice, cultivated using Koi carp for weed control. It's fully matured in ex-Brandy casks and finished for eight months in barrels that previously held Islay Scotch. The initial impression is delicate, with hints of pear, honey, vanilla, malt, and peat. Its rich and complex development adds notes of honey, vanilla, pear, peat, tropical fruits, spices, grass, and Sake. The long, smoky conclusion features hints of jerky, vanilla, and fruit. (Tasted: January / May 2020 / December 2021 / August 2022)

The color is pale yellow. It first gives off smoke, then a sweet base. In the background, there are hints of fresh fruit and honey. The initial taste is very smoky with a pleasingly smooth feel. Sweetness appears and disappears, with various subtle but hard-to-pinpoint sweetness variations as the smoke mixes in. The finish continues the blend of sweet and smoky flavors. Though I couldn't distinguish specific elements as clearly as with other spirits, I found it quite enjoyable.

Wow... the flavor is dominated by smoky pepperiness. It feels thin on the palate, unlike the oily texture of many scotches. Interestingly, the aroma is of smoky peat. Adding a couple of drops of water intensifies both the peaty flavor and aroma. Overall, I'm not particularly fond of this one.

It's a bit off-putting not knowing the exact distillery of the Islay cask. Nevertheless, this is fantastic for those who enjoy smoke and peat, while also being approachable for individuals not yet accustomed to a full-on Scotch taste. It has an almost "meaty" quality with a hint of sherry on the finish. Adding a splash of water brings out more of the citrus and fruit notes.

It tastes exactly as I would anticipate a peated cask Japanese whiskey to taste: sweet and pleasant at first, followed by a nice smoky peat kick. However, the finish is quite poor; the peat transforms into something artificial and plastic-like. I'm not sure what causes this, but it's not appealing.

The influence of the Islay Cask is quite evident. It starts off mild and sweet for a short period before giving way to a substantial amount of smoky, peaty character. It possesses a pleasant, extended finish that lingers nicely.