Shinobu 15 Years Old

Shinobu 15 Years Old is a blended malt from the Shinobu Distillery in Niigata prefecture, bottled at 43% and offered globally. At 15 years, the expression reaches a maturity level that gives the multi-cask programme its full opportunity to integrate, and Niigata's cold, clean climate supports a slower, more measured development than Japan's warmer southern prefectures.

The three-cask maturation moves from Ex-Bourbon barrels, which provide the base of vanilla, toasted cereal and light orchard fruit, through Oloroso sherry hogsheads that add dried fig, dark raisin and a gentle walnut note, and then into a mizunara Japanese oak finish. Over 15 years the mizunara has more time to contribute its signature sandalwood and temple-wood character than in younger expressions, so the incense note here is more pronounced. The palate is dry, spiced and gently woody, with the fruit from the other casks providing balance.