Yamazaki Puncheon, American Oak Puncheon Cask, 2011, 48%

The dried fruit and green apple sound like a lovely fit for a single malt, while the gentle butterscotch and creamy texture keep the palate soft. I like that the oak seems to sit alongside the fruit rather than take over.

CinnamonCloud3 Sept

The American oak puncheon is useful context, though the flavours make a case for themselves. Dried fruit and vanilla give the nose some richness, alongside green apple and mature pear. The palate sounds gentler: creamy, with ripe peach and delicate butterscotch, while citrus keeps it from feeling too sweet. The long finish brings vanilla and oak back into view. I tend to favour dried fruit, vanilla and oak, so that return appeals to me, especially with the lighter fruit in between. It’s a well-paced combination on paper; the cask gets a mention, but it doesn’t need to take credit for every note.