Karuizawa, Noh Mask 27 Year Old

An unusual but very special bottling. It is made up of four casks distilled from 1981 to 1984, and including bourbon barrels as well as sherry casks. The Noh series was bottled by La Maison du Whisky in France.

Nose: Very unusual for Karuizawa, with sweet nuts, caramel and vanilla and menthol rancio, milk chocolate Turkish delight.
Palate: Trademark orange and prune, but this is an autumnal whisky, with herby notes, mushrooms and over ripe fermenting orchard fruits. The menthol rancio notes are still there, but they’re joined by mint, and almost saw-dusty oak.
Finish: Long, dry and with distinctive oak tannins. The sum is much greater than the parts – and this is a lovely expression of Karuizawa.