Masahiro 12 years old, Pure Malt Oloroso Cask /43%/ – Masahiro Distillery was founded in 1883 by Shobun Higa, whose father Shozoku Higa was the master chef for the ancient Ryukyu Kingdom. With the help of Shozoku Higa’s reputation and connections the distillery was awarded the license to make the traditional Okinawan spirit ‘awamori’ and has since established itself as one of the oldest and largest distilleries in Okinawa. In 2018, the eighth generation owner, Masayasu Higa, successfully launched Okinawa Gin and soon started producing whisky. Here we have 12 years old expression of ‘world blended malt whisky’ – own malt blended with “magnificent world malt whisky”. The components were aged in American oak casks for 11 years, then married in Oloroso sherry casks for additional 12 months.
Nose: dried apricots, prunes, oranges, figs, cantaloupe, roasted peanuts, honey, vanilla custard, milk chocolate, hints of cinnamon and sherried oak.
Palate: fruity, dried apricots and cherries, orange marmalade, raisins and sultanas, vanilla, caramel, roasted nuts and almonds and oak.
Finish: medium long, with notes of sweet dried fruits, honeyed nuts, vanilla, maple syrup, dash of allspice and oak.