Drink Review: Suntory Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve Whisky

Whisky Tasting Notes

Suntory Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve Nose: Not a huge amount going on: wafts of pine air softly breathe overhead, as Mojitos and menthol cigarettes are enjoyed in the post-storm sunshine of a woodland retreat.

Suntory Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve Taste: Tucking into under-ripe fresh fruit salad, regretting the lack of bacon barm, but convinced it’s the start of a new you. Good quality Chardonnay comes forward with gentle peppermint holding its hand. This would make a brilliant boozy birthday brunch with salmon, cucumber and mint blinis.

Suntory Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve Finish: A long, subtle finish; it’s a doting, mixed-race marriage between spritely Japanese Yuzu and wet English pear orchard that love each other but like to argue.

Flavour 7/10    Value 7/10

Buy Suntory Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve Here

The Hakushu Single Malt Whisky Distiller’s Reserve Review
From the Hakushu distillery in the foothills of Mount Kaikomagatake.

Drink Review: Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Whisky

Whisky Tasting Notes

Bunnahabhain 12 Year Nose: Briney coastal air gently rolls up, while your burning matches get soaked in the rain. You recite Gaelic poetry from a damp notebook, with a tear in your eye.

Bunnahabhain 12 Year Taste: An oily, forceful 46.3% sherry tsunami that crashes with a surprising syrupy softness. A spice firework blooms and then vanishes, leaving a malty tang, flavours of hot nuts with very little peat for the region. It’s not the most complex of drams, but it’s honest and characterful.

Bunnahabhain 12 Year Finish: A medium-long finish with a more than respectable smoothness for its price point and alcohol volume. There’s a soft salted liquorice touch, with a splash of Dr Pepper sweetness.

Flavour 7/10    Value 10/10

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Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Whisky Review
Awarded Gold Islay up to 12 Years Old – 2015 – The Scotch Whisky Masters
Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Whisky Review
Awarded Silver Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Years – 2015 – International Whisky Competition

Drink Review: Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest Whisky

Whisky Tasting Notes

Bowmore 15 Year Darkest Nose: Waking up hungover but excited on Christmas morning with tobacco still on your breath. It’s taking that first bite of robust mince pie, whilst warming up with a cosy hot chocolate, nostrils filling with steaming milky cocoa.

Bowmore 15 Year Darkest Taste: Thick rolling waves of burning wood, with clean pine air fighting to come through. Viscous, dark toffee flavours bring sweetness, with surprisingly very little peat.

Bowmore 15 Year Darkest Finish: A medium-long finish of sherry-drenched Christmas pudding made with too much nutmeg. A final oily, cinnamon-sugar note means you leave on good terms.

Flavour 8/10    Value 8/10

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Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest Islay Whisky Review
Awarded Gold Outstanding Scotch Single Malt – Islay – 2014 International Wine & Spirit Competition
Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest Islay Whisky
Voted ‘Outstanding’ by the IWSC in 2014