Karuizawa (silent) Part Des Anges Japanese Single Malt Whisky 28 Year Old · 1981 Vintage

Colour

Deep burnished amber with copper-gold highlights and a sunlit honey sheen.

Nose

Opulent and concentrated, the nose unfurls with dark plum and candied apricot over aged oak. Rich vanilla, clove and cinnamon mingle with cacao nibs and toasted almond, while a resinous cedar backbone lends lift. A warm, subtly smoky edge hints at cask strength, yielding a perfume of elegance and quiet power from a rare 28-year-old Karuizawa single cask.

Palate

Powerful yet refined, the palate delivers molten toffee, dried fig and black cherry, with lacquered oak. Espresso and cacao nibs mingle with cinnamon, clove and nutmeg, leaving a peppery lift. At 62.4%, a bold spine supports leather and cigar-box notes into a long, resinous, warming finish.

Finish

An impossibly long, powerful finish that lingers with heat and refinement. Caramelized fruit and dark chocolate mingle with toasted oak, cherry, and baking spice. A whisper of lacquered wood, tobacco and leather unfurls, while mineral brine and pepper fade to leave a velvet, resinous warmth that coats the palate.