Suntory 1981 "Kioke Shiomi"

Distillery
Vatted malt (?). Probably Hakushu. Please see the comments.

The best translation I can offer for the name "Kioke Shikomi" is "matured in a wooden tub". The normal word for barrel is not being used here. Instead the vocabulary is more associated with the "tubs" used in sake making. The red characters say a "direct fired" distilling method was employed. The label also talks of a heavy and powerful taste.

This, like the "Furudaru Shiage", calls itself a "Pure Malt Whisky" and no particular distillery is mentioned, so again I am guessing it is the vatted product of more than one distillery.

Review by Nonjatta contributor - Serge Valentin

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"Suntory 1981 ‘ Kioke Shiomi’ (43%, OB, circa 2005)
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Much more happening in this one. Starts like a mix of nutmeg just like in the Hibiki 30 yo, butter, hay and mashed potatoes, getting then sort of smoky and oaky and finally rather grassy. Not particularly heavy I’d say.
Mouth: Again, much more happening in this one than in the "Furudaru Shiage". Heavier indeed, pleasantly rough, malty, quite candied again but also rather smoky, liquoricy, almost kind of peaty – or is it peat indeed? Gets slightly cardboardy after that but it’s fine whisky no doubt. I’d say ‘northern Highlands style’, and direct firing may well have brought that extra-punch and body to it.
Finish: Longer than the "Furudaru Shiage" for sure, still very powerful but probably grainier and more honeyed now. Good and very ‘Scottish’ if I may say so. 81 points." (Serge`s scoring system is explained on this page.)

Alcohol
43 per cent (abv)
Price700 ml - ?