Norman

8.8

An interesting bottle I didn’t plan on opening immediately but got it cheap and unfortunately the cork failed in shipment. Coincidence? In any case I didn’t think whiskey could be corked but this clearly is. You could still taste the whiskey but over time it just wears on you and builds. I’d say this is like a standard Hibiki. It would have been pleasant and fun to taste with others in comparison but nope. — 14 days ago

Norman

8.9

I have a lot of these and most have been ok but this one was further along in its development. Knew I needed to drink these. Faster is the word of the day. — a month ago

Norman

9.1

Better after it opened. Time to drink. Should have earlier. — a month ago

Norman

9.2

Better with air. Got plush over time. — 19 days ago

Norman

9.0

Hitakami Junmai Ginjo Nakadori
Brewery: Hirako Shuzo
Location: Ishinomaki, Miyagi
Type: Junmai Ginjo (Nakadori)
Bottle size: 720ml
Bottled: 2025.07

Aromatic with a clean, restrained profile. The nose shows fresh melon with a soft sweetness. Entry is crisp and dry with a light weight on palate. Body stays lean.

Mid-palate - fruit and a gentle mineral edge. The finish brings the melon note back with a slight bitterness that helps it fade cleanly.

I’d prefer more palate weight and a fuller, longer finish. — 19 days ago

Norman

9.0

It’s not bad. Great aromatics on day one. Nice sweetness in day 2. Significant sediment and the coal was toast. Durand key on these. — a month ago

Norman

9.1

Longrow 21: oily and rounded with light peat, orange peel and dried fruit, worn leather, and a gentle incense-like finish. Minimal oak grip and almost no alcohol bite. A faint industrial note on the arrival that settled into aromatic smoke. Late-blooming aromatics, but the profile is more elegant than craveable. Glad I tried it. I wouldn’t chase a bottle. — a month ago

Norman

9.0

Found… perhaps a bit late. It was fine but I recall it being better younger. — 19 days ago

Norman

9.3

End of the fiscal year. Long one but a good one so this is an exhausted versus drown sorrows drink ;) Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2024 (12 Year, 107 proof)

Nose is surprisingly light for the proof. Soft sweetness, light oak, and a hint of rye spice.

On the palate it isn’t heavy, but it fills the whole mouth. The heat shows early and stays present, reading higher than 107. Sweetness is there but restrained. More spice builds with time, rye-forward and focused on the tip and top of the tongue, with some grip on the cheeks. Oak stays light rather than deep or dusty.

Bit hotter than I’m feeling I want tonight. — a month ago

Norman

9.1

Loch Lomond 20yr (Royal St George)
Light nose. First sip came in hot with a quick finish. With a few minutes of air it opened up a lot, smoother and noticeably longer. Wood and spice lead more than caramel for me. Finish is long and a bit drying, hits the tip of the tongue then sits in the cheeks. No real fruit showing on my palate. I’d prefer a bit more fruit or caramel to balance the structure. — a month ago