Hakushu 1984 White Oak Cask
Single Malt - Japan - 61.00% 8 Its edgy assertiveness might bother aesthetes but I warm to a whisky that knows its own mind.

Hakushu 1988 Bourbon Cask
Single Malt - Japan - 61.00% 8 Lean, limber and characteristically smoky. A clear sense of Hakushu malt without heavy wood influence.

Hakushu 30th Anniversary Bottling
Single Malt - Japan - 43.00% 8 A beautifully composed whisky. No aggression, but a great sense of authority.

Hokuto 12 Years Old
Single Malt - Japan - 40.00% 8 A wee cracker. Nothing sophisticated. Clean, straight and well combined. Quite cheering.

Hokuto 12 Years Old
Single Malt - Japan - 40.00% 7 A pleasant summery dram. Keeps fruity all the way.

Ichiro's Malt 1985 Ace of Spades
Single Malt - Japan - 55.00% 7 When oak is elegantly mastered, no problem. Same with the alcohol. A beautiful example of controlled maturation.

Ichiro's Malt 1988 King of Diamonds
Single Malt - Japan - 56.00% 8 Water undoubtedly tames the alcohol but alters the freshness and enticing natural sharpness of that bold whisky.

Ichiro's Malt 1988 Single Malt Vintage
Single Malt - Japan - 56.00% 8 A pungent character. Warm phenolic and uncompromising but hiding a pleasant cereal sweetness. The alcoholic strength is somewhat burning though. Water helps but does not cut all the sharp edges.

Ichiro's Malt 1990 Queen of Hearts
Single Malt - Japan - 54.00% 7 A well balanced and refreshing dram. Try it with raw fish and ginger in vinegar.

Ichiro's Malt 20 Years Old
Single Malt - Japan - 46.00% 7 The nose is more enticing than the palate. Water reduces the gap, bringing in a velvety texture.

Ichiro's Malt Ace of Diamonds 1986 22 Years Old
Single Malt - Japan - 56.40% 8 Intense and packs a considerable punch.

Ichiro's Malt Ace of Hearts, 22 Years Old
Single Malt - Japan - 56.00% 8 Water cuts the edges a little but does not mellow the sourness.

Ichiro's Malt Eight of Hearts 1991
Single Malt - Japan - 56.80% 7 An intense flavour package.

Ichiro's Malt Five of Spades 2000 9 Years Old
Single Malt - Japan - 60.50% 7 Exotic herbal and vibrant.

Ichiro's Malt King of Spades, 21 Years Old
Single Malt - Japan - 57.00% 8 A liquid dessert. Reminds me of a rich Balvenie. Superb dram.

Ichiro's Malt Ten of Clubs 1990 19 Years Old
Single Malt - Japan - 52.40% 7 It has balance but needs to be approached with cautious respect.

Ichiro's Malt Three of Diamonds
Single Malt - Japan - 56.00% 7 Lacks balance. Alcohol is quite fierce. Water tames it down but needs to be strictly dosed as it enhances bitterness. Some character but quite sharp.

Ichiro's Malt Two of Clubs
Single Malt - Japan - 57.00% 8 The nose is more appealing than the palate. Water tames it.

Karuizawa 12 Years Old
Single Malt - Japan - 40.00% 6 I found myself writing some of the same descriptors as I did 15 or 20 years ago. That says something for the consistency of this product.

Karuizawa 12 Years Old
Single Malt - Japan - 40.00% 7 Reveals more balance on the palate than expected. Certainly on the wood side but in a rich and complex way.

Karuizawa 15 Years Old
Single Malt - Japan - 40.00% 7 I would have enjoyed the whisky more if I had stuck to nosing.

Karuizawa 17 Years Old
Single Malt - Japan - 40.00% 7 Pleasant as a ‘dessert whisky', but lacks complexity.

Karuizawa 17 Years Old
Single Malt - Japan - 40.00% 7 A superb balance and richness. Luscious bouquet, satisfying and flavoursome.

Karuizawa 17 Years Old
Single Malt - Japan - 40.00% 6 A marine character but more whispering than speaking up.

Karuizawa 1974
Single Malt - Japan - 65.00% 6 Can't see the point in offering such an unbalanced oaky profile. It is whisky we want to enjoy, not a wood infusion.