My love of good Single Malt Whisky has not gone unnoticed.
Amongst my recent Christmas gifts was a bottle that I could hardly wait to sample.
The Whisky, called Taketsuru, was everything one expects from a high quality Pure Malt; other than the fact that it is Japanese. It's a blended Malt Whisky, and is smooth, soft, and elegant (I hope I sound like an expert).
As with most things Japanese, it's presentation is faultless and perfectly crafted.
The founder of The Nikka Whisky Distilling Co, one Masataka Taketsuru (after whom this particular brew is named), was the first Japanese man to go to Scotland to study the art of Whisky making; his gained knowledge is now here for all to savour.
Don't tell any Scotsman that I said this, but Mr Taketsuru's Whisky compares extremely well to some of Scotland's finest, and is also far better than many. The 'peatiness' of many Scottish Single Malts is replaced by an almost citrussy undertone, and it has a slight chocolaty finish.
I should add that I don't 'drink' whisky; I savour it. Just half a thimble-full before bed on my tongue is a huge pleasure.
If you're looking for something a bit different? I can thoroughly recommend this. 10/10.
28 comments:
Almost makes me wish I drank alcohol. I'll stick to hot chocolate at bedtime though and water during the day.
Like River, I also don't drink but the calligraphy label is wonderful. Whatever Japanese Son drinks he takes the label off, makes a postcard from it and sends it to me.
You could almost 'sniff' this, and get the same pleasure. It's the aroma as much as the taste that counts.
What a good idea, you can also keep an eye on how much he's drinking!
No taste of wild berries or bergamot? I have mixed feelings about Japanese packaging. As wonderful as it can be, it can also be very wasteful.
They treat packaging as an art form. I have always been in awe of how they use diagonals, much as we use verticals and horizontals. Wasteful maybe, but often very beautiful.
Well, he did learn in the right place!
Just as many of the best Kiwi winemaking families originally came from France!
And these days we have 'Flying Winemakers' from Oz advising the French about how to make better wine, and not to rely on their 'place of origin' labels.
I love Scottish Malts. Dalwhinnie is my favourite and it's not firey and harsh and is smokey andtastes of caramel and toffee after maturing for years in sherry barrels. Taketsuru sounds definitely like one to source and sample.
As much as I like a drink, whiskey doesn’t seem to like me although, it might be because I once made a huge dent in a bottle of Southern Comfort and was really ill after !!!
What a thoughtful gift …. I know you will savour every thimble full. XXXX
That'll teach them for threatening to break away from The United Kingdom! (I'm referring to Scotland rather than Japan!)
Not a whiskey drinker either, but I have a number of them scattered amongst the offspring. That's a wonderful gift idea. They would look at the Japanese script, scoff at the mother who knows nothing at all about whiskey. The scoffing would stop when they tasted it. Sounds like great fun to watch unfold.
And at the rate I drink it, the bottle will last a whole year!
I probably would never have thought of buying a Japanese brand, but it really is very good. I've only ever had one bizarre Scottish Single Malt, and that tasted of tar. I can't remember its name!
It's that yon wee Pixie that puts one off buying Scotch. What about Welsh Whiskey? There's an opportunity in the valleys.
Personally I was very pleasantly surprised, so I expect your brood would be too.
Purely for mecidinal purpseses. I'm not under the affluence of incahol as think'll peep I am.
Yorkshire whisky is of course the best. You can't beat "Filey Bay".
My tharf fimble full never has thaeffect.
Someone knows exactly what to gift you. I'm not a whisky fan but I do like a well stocked cabinet. This would be unique and fun to have and I'm sure I'd have takers. Thank you for the recommendation.
I shall have a tot tonight. Delicious.
Your description is wonderful, and so is your gift giver.
What a surprise. Japanese whisky. That was a gamble for a gift of had they already sampled a bottle?
Enjoy every drop
She was indeed. A very well considered gift!
I don't think they knew much about it; just crossed fingers. However, their hunch was good. It's superb!
A few of our liquor outlets here offer tastings for a relatively small price and a few years back some friends and I (who all enjoy a single malt) decided to try one of the Japanese whiskies - have to say - we were very impressed - but it was very strong!
Enjoy - and a very Happy New Year to you and yours.
I've just looked at the bottle and it's 43% alcohol. The bottle of French Brandy I bought for Christmas is 35%.
Penderyn produces some very good whisky
Post a Comment