Suntory Yamazaki 15 Year Old 1993 ‘The Cask’

I thought I was in for a line up of fruity Yoichi, but was surprised at how peaty the Yoichi 1999 was. So best to put another peaty whisky next to that, right? Luckily my sample cabinet still has this Yamazaki 15 Year Old from 1993. The barley used for this was peated up to 26ppm. Looks like a good sparring partner.

Hey, this is something completely different. Smells more like an Islay whisky than I would have expected. Very herbal, I must say. Reminds me of a cannabis plantation (do not ask me how I know what that smells like, okay). Very peaty. Pine needles and resin. Earth. Wet stones. The fruit struggles to rise to the surface, but with a bit of effort I can discern litchi and grapes.

On the palate, it is the other way around. First the fruit, clearly litchi now, but also pineapple and peach. After that the brine and peat emerge. Loads of peat, by the way. Very peppery. Very nice.

The finish is long and more of the same: fruit, peat and salt.

Not very complex and yet very special. Truth be told, this reminds me somewhat of Ardbeg Galileo, but with an oriental twist.

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