Whisky: Yoichi 1990’s

Country/Region: Japan

ABV: 55%

Cask: Oak

Age: N/A

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Nose: Soft, maritime, industrial, coal soot, hessian, chocolate and digestif biscuits, hints of molasses and vanilla.

Palate: Medium-bodied, musty and dirty, sooty, wispy smoke, metallic, maritime brine, tarry ropes, cigar boxes, hessian, malty pastries.

Finish: Medium-length with a mellow industrial grime, maritime brine, and crisp molasses biscuits.

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Score: 7-8 (86)

Mental Image: Taking Cocoa in the Ferry Galley

Narrative & Notes: Soft and maritime with dark storm clouds and coal soot on the horizon— metal, coal dust, maritime brine, and hints of hessian faded as hot cocoa and chocolate arrived. Digestif biscuits with subtle molasses, vanilla, and cinnamon provided accompaniment to hot chocolate and relief from stormy seas. Medium-bodied on the palate, the flavors were musty and sometimes dusty with wispy smoke, soot, and metallic iron cruising over a soft maritime brine, minerals, and tarry ropes. A touch of cigar boxes and hessian lingered further in with digestif biscuits and a malty richness. The finish was medium-length with a mellow industrial grime, maritime brine, and crisp molasses biscuits.

This limited distillery release of malts distilled in the 1990s showcased some of the dirtier and more maritime aspects of Yoichi with a wonderful mustiness. Underlying it all were malty biscuits and a bit of chocolate, more so on the nose, hinting at the presence of rich sherry casks in the mix. The finish felt a bit abbreviated considering the richness and depth present otherwise. On the whole, a great demonstration of how scotch-like the whiskies at Yoichi can be, while maintaining the distillery’s unique character.

Overall, this was beautiful— though the faint of heart may want to avoid checking prices; certainly not an easy one to enjoy unless money is no issue, or lady luck has your side on the auctions.