Notice of Blog Hiatus Due to Usukeba Renewal + Today's Home Drinking Bottle

Since its establishment on August 8, 2012, this blog has posted whisky articles almost every day for over three years. However, due to the renewal from Usukeba to Sakedori, we will be putting it on hold. According to the management's notice, the site's functions will be suspended from 9:00 AM on Wednesday, September 24th to 9:59 AM on Tuesday, September 29th. After that period, it will transition to the Sakedori site normally. As Usukeba, we plan to upload our final article early on the 24th and hope to resume operations on Sakedori by late afternoon on the 29th. There are many tasting notes accumulated, so please bear with us. However, I must admit that I am quite inexperienced with computers and the internet. Despite receiving communications from the management regarding tag organization during the renewal, I didn't fully understand it (laughs). Given this, there's a possibility that my transition might not be smooth, which could delay the resumption. Please understand. Regarding the migration from Usukeba to Sakedori, there are various adult reasons involved. Personally, as long as the blog itself can be smoothly migrated, I have no other interests or opinions. However, in the past, when I pointed out several improvement points and deficiencies to the Usukeba management, they did respond that they would consider and fix them. Yet, ultimately, there were no improvements or communications, which left me feeling little sincerity. After the migration, I would like to request a heartfelt and genuine approach different from before. To all whisky enthusiasts who have viewed this blog, I still intend to continue as usual after the resumption. Thank you for your continued support. T. Matsuki ※ Additional note on the same day: It feels a bit lonely just announcing the hiatus, so here's the malt I'm currently drinking. This was opened for a potluck held at a friend's house in Nihon Hachimanyama recently. Highland Park HIGHLAND PARK 1974-1991 17yo TURATELLO ITALIA (INTERTRADE?) 54.4% The aroma is lively and slightly stimulating, with notes of Japanese pear and sudachi (a type of citrus), semedain (a type of Japanese sweet rice cake), honey, a pleasant barley sensation, and smoky straw-like smoke. On the palate, it is strong and spicy with a fiery sensation, similar to the aroma, featuring Japanese pear and sudachi, faintly Western pear, a strong umami from barley that lingers on the tongue, smoke, oiliness, and a sweet, rich honey flavor. The aftertaste is pleasant with notes of honey, oil, and peat, lasting long. [Very Good] This is the Highland Park 1974, 17-year-old cask strength bottling by Intertrade. It has a plain barrel character, high proof, and a well-integrated rustic barley and matured peat aroma. The lively flavor is unexpected for a bottle that has been bottled 24 years ago, and it's so vibrant that I think it would have been better to age it for another 10 years. If blind tasted, I believe the answer would be 'I don't know the distillery, but it's likely a green bottle Highland Park cask strength from Caol Ila.' This type is quite to my taste. It's not only enjoyable but also a favorite, so I end up drinking it quickly. However, since there's no stock left and the changes after opening are concerning, I'll try to take my time and savor it slowly. After thoroughly tasting it, I will post the tasting notes again. #Highland Park (HIGHLANDPARK)