Karuizawa 1988

Tasted in Whisky Magazine Issue 56 by Martine Nouet and Dave Broom.

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Tasting Notes

Martine Nouet Nose Spirity at first then vanilla smooths the rough edges. Sherry shows up. Plum jam, fig molasses. Oak makes its way quite assertively. Palate Definitely sherried. Chocolate, dried fruit. Develops on dry bitterness. Water takes astringence away, but then too much sugar. Finish Dry, oaky, astringent. Comment Sherry masks the distillery character. Fine if you are a big fan. That sickening sweetness with water added is questionable.

Dave Broom Nose Exotic: flat cola, wet bamboo, hedgerow, sour black cherry mixed with coconut, chocolate and green fig. With water, eucalyptus. Palate Shows real maturity, complexity and balance. Tongue-coating with layers of flavour and good weight. The oiliest so far. Finish Long, with a refreshing tart grip. Comment This has excellent backbone and manages to integrate fully the bitter edge that creeps into many of these.