Suntory Old Whisky

It's always a pleasant surprise when you don't anticipate much from a whisky, only to discover it's an excellent expression that leaves you feeling content. A Suntory Old can certainly provide one of those delightful experiences. Suntory Old Whisky is a well-known blended offering from this brand, existing for a considerable time, particularly from the 1940s through the late 1980s before its availability diminished. This particular bottle features the most diverse range of labels I've encountered on a whisky, surpassing even Johnnie Walker Black Label. It seems like the kind of dram that an older generation once appreciated and has since been overlooked. It's bottled at 43% ABV and has a burnished gold hue. On the nose, it's quite surprising. Vanilla and chocolate. Pears and apples. Everything seems normal initially. Oranges appear after a minute, followed by corn. Almonds. After an initial taste, a lovely melon note emerges, feeling velvety. It's very mineralic and has a 'Rocky' character. On the palate, it's creamy, fruity, and very easy to drink. Apple pie, sawdust, mild pepper, and melon are present. After a sip, it shifts to a more 'mainstream' profile with toffee, caramel, and vanilla notes. Still, it's very nice. The finish is a bit unusual, which makes it interesting in this instance. My immediate thought was that I was licking envelope glue. Raw rice, pleasantly and expertly delivered saltiness, and a faint sulfuric hint. Overall, this was a very cool whisky to drink. I expected a raw, young, harsh dram, but it was nothing of the sort. Very fruity and sweet, incredibly easy to enjoy, this is a whisky I'll remember. I've awarded it a well-deserved 88 out of 100. Cheers!

Japanese whisky is growing in popularity, with Suntory Old being a major export since the 1950s. It is reportedly a blend of Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita, bottled at 43% ABV. It lacks an age statement, and its color appears artificial, a typical consumer-friendly yellow gold. It is likely chill-filtered. Nose: Floral and delicate, with faint vanilla and a somewhat perfumed scent. Palate: Shallow, with sweet caramel, raisins, and a hint of oak. Finish: Quite short, floral, but with a touch of bitterness and some vanilla and oaky notes. Overall, it's quite basic, with nothing particularly outstanding, yet the balance is decent, and it's quite drinkable. Adding a bit of water makes it sweeter, but not much else changes. The finish might become slightly less bitter. In general, this dram would be considered "smooth" by beginners. It lacks complexity and is quite basic, but it isn't off-putting in any way. It would probably be excellent in highballs and cocktails.

Aroma: Pleasantly aromatic, perfume-like, with a moderate floral note, possibly rose and/or carnations, darker fruit notes, dried fruits, berries, a potential sherry note, and the faintest hint of honey and butter. Taste: Sweetness of dark sugar with a fruity character, followed by a strong peppery spice (white pepper?) and oak spices. A mild herbal grassy note, and perhaps a hint of peat on the finish. Spicy notes linger on the finish. Very much like Scotch. I would assume this is a blend, but for a mid-tier budget Japanese whisky, this is quite good. Well done considering the price. Worth exploring if you're on the Japanese whisky path and can find it.

Recalling this whisky, the first impression is that it's a sweeter and more intense version of common blended scotches (like Red Label or Ballantine's). It has a strong spirituous and caramel-sweet aroma, with some obvious citrus. The taste is sweet, with hints of caramel and vanilla. Unfortunately, nothing remarkable stands out.

A gift from my youngest daughter, purchased at the Narita (Tokyo) airport. The label is different, possibly a limited edition, I assume the contents are the same. Fruity and spicy on the nose. The palate mirrors this with vanilla and honey. It has a slightly gritty, oily, and coating texture. The finish is of sufficient length, a bit fiery with fruity, spicy, and vanilla notes. This is an excellent blend!

Sherry aroma. Intense dark flavors. Tastes of darker fruit such as cherries or plums. Maybe a Sherry finish. The sweetness transitions into a finish that strikes me as medicinal? Deep, rich, and sweet. Hints of honey as well; points for originality. Also a great price.