Yoichi 余市 Aged 20 Years Single Cask Distillery Exclusive
Style: Rich and Complex
Rating: ☆☆ [Highly Recommended]
Nose:
Cold breeze of peppermint mist diffusing across to the nose, slowly, smooth edges of fruity malt become more visible with traces of ashy smoke gently weaved into the aroma. Stew fruits, timber shavings, coffee and cloves all combined beautifully, it feels the maturation has reached an optimal point. Rich and oily.
Palate:
Behind another fiery charge of peppermint spice we have a gorgeous touch of stewed fruits and honey standing tall. Immensely complex and crystal-clear development of flavours - light peat, ashy touches, tobacco leaves, vanilla, dry spices, coffee syrup, timber shavings, treacles all playing their part, while mellow, sweet strawberries easing through. Spices still giving a mighty zing. Red fruits undertone arises, cherries, red grapes and combine the malt to give a pleasant finish.
Finish:
Subtle sherry foundation enables to the oak and peat to shine in the most delicate way on high. Honey and more dry spices lingering, beautiful layers constructed here.
Thoughts:
Thoughts: I will try not be biased here, as this is my favourite bottle from my favourite distillery, but probably I can’t help it… Anyway, other than being quite spicy, the spirit is magnificent – Incredible complexity, elements in the dram are perfectly in sync and orchestrated brilliantly, the oily texture, the sublime richness… it is one beautiful whisky. If only I can go back to the distillery and grab the whole cask, I should have enough stock for the rest of my life. I wish I can give 3 stars, but I think 2.5 stars would be more accurate. Can we do half stars now @whisknick? 🤣
[60% | 2014 Bottled | Original Bottling | Cask Strength | Single Cask | Non Chill Filtered | Non Coloured | Limited Edition | Cask Number: 400654]
Originally published on Instagram