Mars Shinshu Distillery Mars 2011 ~ The Revival 3 Year Old, Bourbon Cask, 2014, 58%

There’s an appealing push and pull here: pepper and peat meet pear and toffee, while the dry, bitter finish keeps it from feeling too sweet. A lively but fairly demanding combination.

Reviewed by afterglow_atlas

Nose

New-make, Bubble gum, Malt, Honey, Flowers, Vanilla, Oak, Spices, Grassy notes, Light vanilla, Heather, Burning straw, Sweet fruits, Floral peat

Palate

Black pepper, Honey, Peat, Bitter lemon zest, Vanilla, Pear, Toffee, Caramel, Dark cocoa

Finish

Dry, Toffee oak, Lingering red liquorice, Bitterness (espresso coffee), Light smoke, Pepper, Pear