Hakushu 12 (abv 43%)
I'm guessing these Suntories need no introduction or pictures by now. Hakushu's the one in the green bottle. For me, this is the quintessential Japanese single malt. Green, tea, refreshing, simple, not too bold. The 12 used to be the standard entry level, but is now in the premium price category. Sigh.
Nose - Not as green as the Distiller's Reserve. Some soft mossiness here that is Hakushu's style of peatiness that reminds me a little of a three-egg veg dish you often see at Chinese restaurants. Spicy, with some alcohol prickliness. Suggestions of sherry and vanilla. A little butter.
Palate - Lemon zest, tamed by velvety sweetness - honey and I think a bit of stewed pears and cinnamon apples. There's a touch of creamy peanut butter to it, so that'll be...peanut, salt, oil (basically, right?). A slight woody undertone that dovetails very nicely with the mossy peat. Gingery, in a tuber way, and not how I move after a game of football.
Finish - Mm. Not long. Spicy and gingery, a little more honey and lemon.
Over all - Not as good as the 18 (duh), but still pretty great. I really like Hakushu.
Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique
This bottle was had at LMDW's free (!) tasting 2 months ago, but I kept my notes from then. Free! A Kavalan! A former Whisky of the Year! What a treat! Let's see if the whisky is as generous as LMDW. No abv, because I did not take it down when tasting, did not snap a picture, and, yea. I was too happy sipping and chatting. Sorry.
Colour - Almost mahogany, but not quite as dark as the Solist Sherry.
Nose - Mm. Big notes of vanilla, some sweet wine, but actually, to my untrained nose, borders on sherry. A little more on the sour side, but still sweet and raisin-y. Spicy too, with a big alcohol hit. Bold oak, and also very malty. This is a big nose. A little... too in-you-face for my liking, but, hey, sometimes, you don't want it subtle.
Palate - Again, big alcohol hit. Expected for a cask strength (really should have paid attention to abv). Vanilla, sherry, a bit of port, caramel toffee. Browned sugar. Ooh. Turns very drying, a lot of oak, fairly tannic, though the vanilla and toffee makes it pretty bearable. Prunes and plums. Maybe parsley or coriander.
Finish - Oh, burns a fair bit going down. Fairly smooth, after the alcohol on the nose and palate. Aftertaste of dark chocolate, plum peel, and spice.
Overall - Different cask/batch and all that, but I'm not sure if I'll award this a World's Best award.
