Karuizawa Single Malt Whisky (56.1%, 22YO, 1st Fill Sherry Cask #679)

Re-taste: Even better with some air in the bottle. The chocolate and cherries have married a bit more and bring out more chocolate malt, fudge, and rich earth tones. The umami is, perhaps, more obscured, but all the more delicious for it.

Nose: Amazing. It's very typical Karuizawa. Chocolate, maraschino cherries that are just dripping with liqueur. Elegant and just flippin' awesome. Orange, maybe light brown sugar molasses. Dates. Red berries and ginger. A little toffee-esque sweetness in the background, soft wood influence. Polish and leather. Pine/forest, a touch sour, and full of some stone fruit. Let's finish this as it began: Amazing. Palate: Thick and rich. Honey, wood, extracted sherry. Very light salt. Wood influence is fine, but you get a …