Mars Iwai Tradition WIne Cask Finish 40%abv

mars-iwai-tradition-wine-cask-finish-40-1Nose: Cherry Ripes, blood oranges, honey, toffee, tree resin, white peach, whole meal dough, Turkish delights.
Palate: Fig jam, Turkish delights, madeira, poppy seed and orange cake, toffee, honey, ginger, ginger bread, salt and a little pepper.
Finish: Ginger bread, honey, figs, dates, nutmeg, salt and some drying tannins.
Last Word: Hard to believe this is a blend. Amazing quality-price ratio at only $23 for a 750ml bottle.

Rating: 86/100

Mars Maltage Pure Malt 8-year-old. 43% abv

mars-moltage-pure-malt-8yo-43Nose: Stewed fruits, sherry, honey, earth, peat, pencil shavings
Palate: Peppery spice, sherry, coconut, mint, chocolate, stewed fruits, malt and peat.
Finish: Spicy, malty, earthy, minty, with good length and a little drying.
Last Word: The Peat/Smoke intensifies nicely after being open for 6-8 months and the last 15-20% of the bottle. Like this one a lot.

Rating: 86/100

Mars Maltage 3 Plus 25. 28-year-old pure malt. 46 per cent alcohol.

mars-moltage-3-and-25-28yo-46

Nose: Luscious. A huge hit of apricots. Ginger, soft leather, Seville oranges, lemon barley, toffee, vanilla, stewed rhubarb, lime juice, gentle pepper, a little pine nut, pineapple, walnut, licorice, and a waxy element.
Palate: Smooth and rounded. Big toffee, apricot jam, pepper, stewed rhubarb, Chinese 5 spice. Can oak be creamy? Sweetened corn, pistachios, leather, frangipani, strawberry compote, walnuts, licorice.
Finish: Medium-long. Balanced on a sweet/dry combo then a little minerally.
Last Word: A stunning, elegant whisky of great complexity.
Rating: 93/100