This single cask sample was given to my by Fulco, about a year and a half ago. Still hadn’t gotten around to tasting it, but that seems the regular excuse these days. Back-log.

I’ve tasted a couple different Yoichi Single Casks, not in the least at the Dutch Whisky Connection stand on several festivals. As far as my records go, this one was a new one, and it sure is a new one on the blog.

Nose:
It starts off with shoe polish and the rubber noses of those all stars shoes. There also is quite some alcohol burn with a lot of wood and smoke. Not necessarily peat smoke, more a bonfire kind of style. The sharpness lingers for a long time but the hint of rubber dissipates quickly. Insense and tea.

Taste:
Very dry, but that might be the alcohol. The flavour builds up rapidly to a typical yoichi flavour of wood, pepper, coal smoke with some spiciness. I do miss a bit of fruit in here, but that might be charming as well.

Finish:
Not very long, but of a medium length. This is the first part of the whisky that loses the alcohol burn. The flavours are similar.

With water the balance of the whisky is much improved and all flavours are more prominent. A very old fashioned dram. Mizunara cask?

An odd Yoichi to me. Most of those single casks were sherry wood or bourbon casks, which imparts a little bit of fruitiness. Still, although there are many other flavours that make up for that. It didn’t really need making up, since they are odd flavours but not bad ones if present in moderation. Still, a bit over the top in wood and shoes.

Yoichi Single Cask Warehouse 15, 1991-2005, 64%, #129.504, used to cost around € 130, I think

Nose: 6
Taste: 8
Finish: 8
Overal experience: 7
Price/quality: -1

Total: 27 points