Karuizawa 1982/2012 29 Year Old, 'Koi' cask #8497

These are notes from last last year that I apparently forgot to migrate over here. I took a wee dram or two over the past few days, and the notes are still pretty much on the mark (I've decanted some small bottles and used gas in the main bottle.)

Nose: Spirity and somewhat volatile. It has a hard citric core, lemon juice and pineapple nearly, with sandalwood powder. Candied vanilla and honeyed bourbon. Some light and sugary dried tropical fruits - pineapple, papaya, and mango, too. It's definitely sweet, almost on cake frosting, and a pinch of cloves and cinnamon. With time, the slightly odd plastic feistiness blows off, but a darker, bitter wood character remains.

Palate: A bit light and medium body, and the flavors are rather subdued and mellow at first. Immediately on lemon cream tart with a bitter crust. Vanilla cake and honeyed flowers on top. Clean oak, creating an odd combination - the wood is plainly alike a high quality Bourbon showing great wood, but with yellow fruits and a rather more whiskied character. Tree bark? A waxiness emerges with time, and presents itself like a Clynelish without the smoke. Maybe a hint of apple peel as well.

Finish: Fairly sweet and on the same elements, yet also a bit drying and the touch of bitterness from the wood. I wind up liking it greatly, but I struggle finding a point for it.

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