Mini SBT from Oshima-san

The Mini SBT with Oshima-san, a regular collaborator in the malt community, has received new samples. *Note: The image is for reference as I forgot to take photos. The color was probably a bit lighter. (The following is the content of the blind tasting): • Mini SBT from Oshima-san • Aroma: Green apple, fresh citrus, white peach (initially faint but gradually intensifies), vanilla, camomile tea, strong good maltiness, honey and oak. • Flavor: The attack is not strong, gradually spicy, orange, green apple, faint white peach, vanilla, light mint, herbal tea, fresh plant-like sensation and strong maltiness, oak nuances present but no raw woodiness, a solid honey sweetness with some briny and oily characteristics. Medium-bodied. • Overall: A bourbon cask whisky from relatively recent bottling, likely from the 90s onwards. It's said to be flavorful and lacks the raw woodiness typical of this style, which was a positive aspect. It seems like a good bottling from recent years, but it's not a distinctive type and predicting the distillery is very difficult. Based on the above, I expect it to be from the early 90s distillation with around 20 years maturation, refill bourbon hogshead cask, single cask, recent bottling with an alcohol content around 50%. As mentioned above, predicting the distillery is difficult, but it had a similar impression to Mr. Sato's Key. I considered Port Ellen due to its oiliness and malty characteristics. It has a nuance close to hand-bottled distilleries but I think it might be slightly oilier and saltier. From the honey-like nuances, Aberfeldy comes to mind, as well as other distilleries like Aberlour or Orkney, which are known for good bourbon cask bottlings in recent years. It's a young, recently bottled malt that is still delicious. Also, the image changed significantly between the first and third tastings, with the third tasting having a much thinner recent bottling feel. A slight textural sensation that lingers on the tongue was noticeable, making me think there might be some aging changes, but since only a small amount remained for the third tasting, I ultimately went with my initial prediction. Whether this was fortunate or not remains to be seen. (Laugh) 【Good/Very Good】 Predicted Distillery: ① Glen Keith, ② Port Ellen, ③ Aberlour Distillation Year: Early 1990s Maturation Age: Around 20 years Alcohol Content: Approximately 50% Cask Type: Refill Bourbon Hogshead The above tasting notes and predictions were sent via email. The correct answer is... Craigellachie 1994-2014 19yo Cadenhead Small Batch 55.2% Mash Tan's 10th Anniversary Bottle Limited to 270 Bottles This was a Craigellachie 1994, matured for around 19 years, bottled by Mash Tan as part of the Cadenhead Small Batch series for their 10th anniversary, and also directed towards Shinoya and Highlander Inn. Regarding the specifications, it's a type that somewhat fits, clearly feeling the goodness of recent releases from good 90s bourbon casks. However, it has a slightly refined maturity and feels like the alcohol content is lower than expected, which is quite rare. During the third tasting, the texture felt like it might need a bit of water, but at 55%... According to Oshima-san, the cask master at Mash Tan chose this barrel with similar feelings. It seems they intentionally selected such a barrel. From my own sense, Craigellachie tends to be more clear and delicate, and I don't recall experiencing oiliness. In that sense, it might be Craigellachie-like despite the oiliness without feeling heavy, but I couldn't read that far. (Laugh) Regarding the tasting and specification interpretation, I was fairly satisfied. This is a bottle with orthodox aromas of this era while having a sparkling uniqueness, and it's drinkable at its peak. Truly excellent cask selection. Thank you for the interesting question, Oshima-san! #Craigellachie (CRAIGELLACHIE) #SBT