Review by: The Auditor
Review #1334; Rum #639
Here we have a bottling done by dependent bottler (Velier’s Term) from the now closed Nine Leaves distillery that was located in Otsu, Japan. Velier bought the entire stock of their rums that was a one man operation run by Yoshiharu Takeuchi.
This rum was fermented from Kokuto sugar from the Okinawa archipelago, used water from an underground spring, and fermented for four days. Distillation occurred in two Forsyth’s pot stills before being aged in a Russian Mizunara virgin oak cask and being bottled with no additives.
Distillery: Nine Leaves
Bottler: Velier
Region: Japan
Still: Pot
ABV: 58%
Nose: Spice forward, Nutmeg, Clove, Coriander, Sandalwood, Pear, Apple
Palate: Thick oily mouthfeel, Pear, Apple, Sandalwood, Coriander, Cinnamon
Finish: Medium length finish, Black Pepper, Apple, Pear, Coriander, Cinnamon
Conclusion: This is spice and fruit forward, it’s a lot like an nice apple pie in a bottle. The spices are very powerful and the fruits play nice together. I have to say, these Velier bottlings have done a good job of changing my thoughts on the distillery overall, as they have all been quite delicious.
Final Score: 88
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 