Karuizawa 1999 & 2000 Asama

The Karuizawa Asama is a multivintage bottling of 1999 and 2000 casks aged at least 11years and bottles at 46% and sold at a budget price (for Karuizawa anyways).
Aged Karuizawa typical in Sherry Butts - although I saw some Bourbon cask Karuizawa now.

• Nose: Sherry, matchsticks, gunpowder, very nutty, acorns, a bit acidic, generally the nose is a bit atypical for a whisky..., more accessible with a bit water
• Mouth: Sherry, gunpowder, dry, with water some malt and a tad bitterness (but not in a negative sense)
• Finish: Sherry, dry, oak, medium long, tobacco, leather

Comment: Well, it's unmistakably Karuizawa alright, not overly accessible on first sip, but interesting. On the negative it lacks the composition and fineness of the older brothers. Not entirely sure how I should rate this one... anyways:

80 points