Akashi 2013 Japanese Red Wine Cask Finish KINKO Selected Release 8 Year Old, Bourbon & Japanese Red Wine Cask, 2022, 63%

busstop compass4 Oct

The fruit is the strongest reason this release appeals to me: juicy plum and hot blueberry tea on the nose give way to grape jam with skin on the palate. That change keeps the fruit character interesting, though the palate also has a firm oak presence. Malt crackers dipped in honey add a contrasting note to the aroma, while juicy oak spices sit alongside the grape jam. The hints of bitterness are worth noting; they may be less appealing to someone looking for uncomplicated fruit. Lingering clove, oak and malt, and herbal notes draw the finish toward spice and wood. For my taste, the fruit and oak make a compelling combination, with that bitter edge as the main reservation.