Hanyu 1988 21 Year Old Noh Cask #9306

Noh refers to a tradtional form of Japanese theater with masks. Hence the label. This Japanese whisky was put to sleep in 1988 in a sherry butt that yielded 625 bottles at cask strength in 2009.

The nose is very fruity on all kinds of dried fruits: dried figs, raisins, candied cherries. Delicious. Some menthol and roasted nuts. Nice touch of smoke and even some mercurochrome. Hints of bacon on the barbecue and a small bonfire. Becomes very spicy after a while.

Ooh, creamy! Intensely seasoned too, but besides the fruit more bacon on the BBQ. Dades wrapped in smoked bacon, you know? Wonderful. Struck matches. Pepper, ginger, liquorice, cinnamon, back and forth. Very complex and very pleasant. Midpalate, the oak starts to speak and makes it somewhat drier. Sorry, I forgot to add water. It is just sooooo good, you know?

The good, long finish on drying oak and dark, peppery fruit, turns this into a true taste sensation.

This needs only three letters: W.O.W. (wonderfully orgasmic whisky). Thanks, Arnout!

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