Yamazaki Puncheon 2012 48%/700ml

The 2012 edition of Yamazaki's popular Puncheon, matured in a largeish cask of about 300 litres called, unsurprisingly, a Puncheon. An interesting showcase of how cask selection can influence the flavour of a whisky.

Nose: lovely ex bourbon notes here. Rich coconut. Vanilla. Fresh would. Sawdust. Citrus and some nutty briny notes too. I’d swear it was a Manzanilla cask. But it’s not.

Palate: lots of oak here too. Some banana and coconut as well as citrus and toasted oak, buttered toast and a nutty edge too.

Finish: bitter wood. Damp earth. Dried Coconut bits.