A fairly low profile Japanese whisky brand, Kurayoshi is produced at the Matsui Shuzou facility in the Tottori Prefecture, northwest of Kyoto, founded in 1910. Like several other Japanese blends, they combine malt whisky from Scotland with Japanese whisky. This is not an uncommon practice, and the exact breakdown of the whiskies remains undisclosed. The extent that these really are Japanese is open to argument. Serge at whisky-fun.com notes, “…some friends from over there - whom I trust – declared that all Kurayoshis were actually Scottish.” They do bare resemblances to mellow Highlanders.

Tasting note: A three year old whisky matured in a bourbon cask. Deep gold. Strikes a balance between oak and sweet malt on the nose, with gentle fruitiness emerging as well as bready notes and hints of popcorn. There's subtle poached orchard fruit flavours (apple / pear), a splash of vanilla and a thrust of spicy warmth, with a medium dry, oily finish and low key peat. Tasted blind, you'd easily mistake it for a Speysider. 43% Alc./Vol.

ABV: 43%