Kurayoshi 12 Year Old Pure Malt Whisky 700ml

A very un-Japanese Japanese whiskey Kurayoshi 12 Year Old Pure Malt Whisky is created from malts produced in Scotland and then aged at Matsui Shuzou distillery in Japan's Tottori Prefecture. There is some Japanese whiskey blended in but not much and it is diluted to bottling strength with pure spring water from Mount Daisen. Kurayoshi roughly translates to "it's a good time" and despite all the above, Kurayoshi 12 Year Old Pure Malt Whisky delivers on its name. It arrives with a pleasant sweetness and gentle spiciness that is quite warming but quickly fades as citrus and of all things woodsmoke comes to the forefront.