Monday, July 2, 2012

Scarecrow - Black Malt Whisky


Aged & bottled at: Hanyu distillery by Akuto Ichiro - Whisky type: Pure malt (8-year-old vatted malt from allied distillers - further aged in Japan for 2 years) - Age: 10-years-old - Cask type: Old heavily charred oak - Bottled: 2005 - ABV: 40% -Limited: 1600 bottles 


Nose: Fighting past the oak is an interesting mix of rich, dried fruits: prunes, cooked raisins, and figs. Sarsaparilla syrup is present; I often find this in many expressions bottled by Ichiro-san. After a good 10 minutes in the glass an array of aromas rush for dominance: musk sticks, brandy, new leather, stale boxed charcoal, faint charcoal smoke, and lead pencils followed by a finale of scented cake soap.

Taste: Minerally, iron, conservative spices, sultanas, honey sap, a very brisk appearance of smoke and lead pencils. Possibly a little tame at the ABV of 40%.

Finish: Short-medium. White pepper and sultanas are in play before that minerraly, diluted honey rinses your mouth. 

Comment: Water not needed in my opinion. The nose wins hands down in comparison to taste for its rich fruit cake like qualities. Is there such a thing as over charring? I understand the concept but I kept saying to my self "this is too excessive". Still, it was worth the experience with something so limited. I wanted to show the true colour of this whisky, hence the glass shot, but it is in actual fact much darker than this in the bottle.


Reviewed by Clint A

2 comments:

  1. Cheers Clint. Now I don't have to buy it(seen it a few times).

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    1. Brian, its something worth trying, but to be honest, and this is of course only my opinion, but it may be better to try this expression (by the glass) at a decent whisky bar (if available), than actually buying a bottle. The bottle presentation is great, and it may look great amongst a collection, being limited and what not, but whisky is distilled to be drank, and dare I say it, this is worth drinking only once or twice.

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