Wolfburn Takashimaya b. 2020

Takashimaya is a well-known Japanese department store. A bit like the Inno in Belgium or Macy's in New York, so to speak. And they have already ordered a special bottling from Wolfburn three times. The first was bottled at 50% ABV in 2017. The second from 2019 was also cut to 50%, while the third from 2020 was delivered at a cask strength of 58.7%. Now let that be the one that's in my glass. It matured in a Spanish sherry cask, which you can't deduce from the color – white wine – at all. Tired wood? Refill? We are going to find out.

Pleasantly sweet nose on gooseberries, mirabelles, zespri and a hint of pineapple with a bitterness in the background like walnuts. There is little sherry influence, very spirit-driven and if I may: great. Very inviting. Just a hint of light brown sugar on the nose suggests that it has kissed a sherry cask.

Although the body is on the light side, I get another clean Wolfburn on citrus fruit, gooseberries and mirabelles. Nicely seasoned on white pepper. I would swear this was bourbon, so bright and so little sherry influence. It does not bother at all, because the DNA of the house dominates and is downright beautiful, despite the fact that you can clearly notice that this is still a very young malt.

Only in the long, satisfying finish do I notice some peach and apricot, which is probably due to the sherry cask.

非常においしい, that's the least you can say about this (Google is your friend).