Ohishi Islay Cask Finish Japanese Whisky 750ml

Ohishi Islay Cask Finish started out life as two ex-Brandy casks which were fully matured over several years before being transferred to a cask that previously held an Islay whisky. By which they mean it previously held a heavily peated whisky, the exact distillery the cask came from was never released, but that’s not overly important really as this is the first batch, the success of which will pave the way for future releases. It was finished in that Islay cask for 8 months.

I know the guys responsible for the Ohishi Islay Cask Finish have connections to Kilchoman, but from what I understand the cask didn’t come from them, but having that connection does open some cool opportunities. With the way the rice spirit soaks up flavors from the wood it’s not too hard to imagine a future where we get an Ohishi Islay Cask Finish done in a Loch Gorm barrel; peat n’ sweet with a rice delivery, how awesome would that be?

That’s not the end either. In addition to sherry casks Kilchoman uses Buffalo Trace ex-bourbon barrels, madeira barrels and other wine barrels. The opportunities are endless if those two distilleries worked together, but who knows if they will. The only thing we know for sure is what’s in front of us so let’s get on into the Ohishi Islay Cask Finish review.

Ohishi Whisky combines traditional distilling methods, local rice, pure water and progressive cask selections to create a uniquely Japanese flavor. Taste the terroir of Kumamoto, Japan. Ohishi Islay Cask gives hints of smoke, toasted marshmallows, and vanilla.

Nose:

Honey, pears, minerality, Smarties, vanilla taffy, rice sweetness, peat and a bit of malty sweetness and clove.

Palate:

Minerality, pears, honey, peat, vanilla taffy, butter, menthol and sake-like sweetness with a touch of spice and tropical fruit.

Finish:

Long smoky fade of fruit, vanilla taffy and minerality.