aiwan again! Not only do these distinguished people make great whisky (see Kavalan, see Nantou), they also pull some of the best Scotches. As regards to our Japanese friends, we’ve been knowing that for ages, haven’t we. Colour: pale gold. Nose: a rather different style, a little more buttery and beerish at first nosing, with more vanilla as well, and rather more ‘cooked’ aromas (vs. fresh ones). In truth this one is becoming one of these decadent fruity Littlemills, the ones you just cannot resist. Fruit salad, tinned fruits, fruit syrups, and, well, anything fruity. Bananas, pineapples, mangos, the whole shebang. With water: immediate and complex at the same time, that’s not common. Superb whiffs of pot-pourri. Mouth (neat): more Cooley than Midleton as far as Irishness is concerned – because yes, once again, this Littlemill feels pretty Irish. Fruit syrups, light honeys, a touch of stone and a touch of metal, some honeysuckle tea… All good. With water: perfect. It never gets flabby, while we’ve tasted some fruit monsters that did get a little, well, flabby once water had been added. Not so here, on the contrary. Finish: quite long, complex, on herbal teas and soft fruits. The aftertaste is pretty much on citrus, which keeps your mouth as fresh as a baby’s. Comments: well done TWA, well done Art Taiwan, and well done Bow Bar (a high reputation, the Bow Bar…)
