Distillery: Kamiki Whisky
Proof: 96
Age: NAS
Mashbill: N/A
BACKGROUND: Kamiki whiskey is a unique blended, non-chill filtered malt whiskeys, made from whiskeys sourced from all around the world. It is common for Japanese whisky companies to buy bulk quantities of whiskey from Canada, Ireland, Scotland, the US and other places around the globe, some Japanese whiskeys lack a single drop from their homeland. The bland is then cut with spring water from Japan, then finished in Yoshino Sugi, or Japanese Cedar, known for its pleasant nose and texture.
NOSE: The nose is quite different from your typical american whiskeys, starting with light scents of apricot, cedar, banana, and light vanilla flavors. The underlying cedar plays a wonderful role with marrying with the other flavors giving that unique Japanese whiskey flavor range. (20/25)
PALATE: The palate followed right along suit with the nose opening up with that same light apricot & malt. As I let the whisky sit, flavors of dry fruit start to show from the back of my palate, mixing with a light spice that overall come together with that cedar flavor that was so prevalent with the nose. (31/40)
FINISH: The finish was quite underwhelming, the flavors dissipate quickly leaving you with a very mild cedar taste and a slight tingle on your tongue that resembles spice. As I sat I sat, notes of dry fruit notes coming back up from my chest.(20/25)
VALUE: For $80 I think this is a bit overpriced, would fit much better in the $50-$60 range. (6/10)
Overall: 77/100
FINAL THOUGHTS: Japanese whiskey is very unique, a completely different world from traditional US whiskey. Kamiki Cedar finish in my mind is like a combination of Glenlivet Enigma & Green Spot Irish whiskey. Strong malt flavors, with tons of sweeter lighter notes coming together to make a delightful blend.
Slightly Better Whiskey: Glenlivet 15 Year
Equal Whiskey: Fuyu Blended Japanese Whiskey Slightly Worse Whiskey: Suntory Japanese Whiskey
Scoring Legend:
96-100: The perfect dram, juice of the gods
90-95: Near perfect, truly incredible whiskey
85-89: Amazing whiskey, will always try to keep a backup bottle of this
80-84: Very good, some minor flaws here or there
75-79: Good, quite enjoyable to drink, Will try and keep a bottle on the shelf
70-74: Solid, wouldn’t go out of my way to get this
60-69: Decent, would offer this up to non whiskey drinkers
50-59: Not my cup of tea
Below 50: Give away
