St. Kilian Exceptional Range Mizunara – Peated

Smell

The first moment? Surprisingly restrained. A hint of cold smoke, almost shy, lies over a warm, dark fruity centre. Plums, sultanas, a touch of caramel, light but present. And then there is this ‘funky’ element - elusive, slightly fermented, perhaps a greeting from the Mizunara oak? It remains exciting.

Taste

Boom. On the palate, the whisky hits like a spice merchant from Kyoto. Black pepper, clove, sandalwood and tart herbs - complex, powerful, almost impossible to categorise. The smoke remains in the background, allowing the spices to take centre stage. The texture: extremely full-bodied, almost creamy, but with an edgy, wildly natural depth. Not beginner material - this is a sensory labyrinth.

Finish

The smoke only returns in the finish - cold, pebbly, slightly ashy, a bit like a campfire at dawn. Then fruit again, this time red berries, subtly embedded. The finish is long, voluminous, complex - and this is where the whisky becomes an experience.