Yamazakura Kuyuri Peated Blended Japanese Whisky 700ml

Yamazakura is made in Fukushima Prefecture by a house with a long history of blending, and sits among the smaller, less shouted about names in Japanese whisky. Kuyuri Peated is the smoky expression in the range, built from grain whisky blended with heavily peated malt and matured in a mix of bourbon and sherry casks.

Given the peating level of the malt, the result is more measured than you might expect. Smoke drifts across the nose alongside dried fruit, vanilla, light oak and a floral edge. The palate is smooth and well integrated, with honeyed sweetness, citrus and gentle spice, the smoke woven through rather than sitting on top.

It closes dry and warm at medium length, smoke fading gradually. A good way into peat for drinkers who find Islay malts too forceful, and a clear expression of the Japanese preference for harmony over dominance.