Ichiro’s Choice Single Grain Whisky 1981 62.4%

kawasaki-ichiros-choice-single-grain-whisky-1981-62-4

Nose: Smooth for such a high alcohol content; earthy, notes of chocolate, liquorice, orange and asphalt.
Palate: Again, pretty smooth with soft grain, molasses, liquorice, pepper and orange.
Finish: Medium length: soft oak, orange, liquorice, with a mix of some classic rum (molasses) and Bourbon (liquorice, orange) qualities.
General comment: A good if not outstanding grain whisky. Lacks the wow factor.
Rating: 82/100

Kawasaki 1982 Whisky Live Tokyo 2011 Single Grain Sherry Butt. 65.5%abv

kawasaki-single-grain-sherry-butt-1982-28yo-7414-65-5

Nose: Smooth grains, big sherry, fine aged rum, eucalyptus throaties, pine, creamed corn, leather, warm flapjacks. Inviting! Water adds maple syrup.
Palate: Again smooth grain, candied nuts, dry sherry, a less sweet/dryer Ron Zacapa 23. Pine, gentle oak, fresh roast java. Quite smooth and drinkable at 65.5 per cent. Water brings out sweet spiced rum of the highest quality.
Finish: Very long, one you feel you can still taste the next day. Dry sherry, fine rum, pine, licorice, creamed corn, oak and pine.
Last Word:  An excellent spirit that never lets me down.
Rating: 90/100