Norman

9.2

Ledaig 18yr, Batch 2. Pleasant as in there upon pouring but not heavy/overwhelming imho peat. Relatively light on the palate, sweet wood and definitely more of the peat. It’s by no means hot. It hits on the tongue, back sides nothing really on the cheeks or front of the tongue. Finish goes for a while. — a day ago

Norman

9.1

Light on the color and flavor given the age. This is more on the honey side for color and flavors than heavy wood. The “44th Release” is a vatting of two Tomatin 1994 bourbon hogshead casks (#6422 and #11210), assembled with input from Jim McEwan (the release write-up frames it as a deliberate “vatting” exercise, and they even offered constituent parts). In the nose I get a bit of solvent. On the palate light heat, hits on the sides of the tongue and a bit in the middle. It’s lasts for a while but given it’s not a bruiser you have to focus to notice it’s lingering. — 12 days ago

Norman

9.2

I’m liking this and I’m pretty sure it was the cheapest I brought back from Japan so ~$10. It’s crazy how cheap they are there for some good quality. Lot of options and I should have brought back more.

Hitakami Junmai Akiagari (日高見 純米 秋あがり)

Junmai (純米) seasonal Akiagari release, basically a “summer-aged then released in early fall” sake.

Brewery: Hirakou Shuzo (平孝酒造)
Location: Ishinomaki, Miyagi (宮城県石巻市)
Rice: Hyogo Yamadanishiki (兵庫県産 山田錦) Polish ratio: 60% 
ABV: 16% to 17% 
Many listings also show SMV around +2 and acidity ~1.6 
2025/08 which lines up with late-summer bottling for the fall release. 

Hitakami as a house style tends to be clean, seafood-first, and on the drier side, not aromatic “ginjo perfume.” This Akiagari version usually brings:
• More rounded rice umami and softer texture than the spring release
• Still a crisp finish so it doesn’t get cloying with food  — 15 days ago

Norman

9.1

Signatory Vintage Inchgower 23yr. This is big, calms down after a bit but it’s got punch. Mainly on sides of the tongue, no cheeks. It was light in the aroma/nose, some wood. Bit of heat, not very strong on the flavors that stand out. — a day ago

Norman

9.2

Boy I picked two big boys today. This is hot. Period. Letting it open up and relax a bit. Little nose, alcohol/some fruit, not wood. Little more coming out with time. The heat is taming/calming with air. This is medium weight on the palate and all over the tongue. Nothing on the cheeks. It’s got a finish the lasts. Right out of the pour though it was very different. Give it some time. — 9 days ago

Norman

9.2

This is a big and bold offering. I would not call it hot but certainly an immediate big hit on the month. The nose gives a bit of cigar, brown sugar and warm spices. It’s rich on the palate, strong on the tongue but also lightly on the cheeks. Fades relatively quickly. — 12 days ago

Norman

9.1

Duncan Taylor Dimensions Bunnahabhain 18yr ABV 54.4%. Way more wood in the nose here. Heavy wood on the palate. Full mouth finish albeit a bit short. Not really hot even at this level but not super balanced. — 16 days ago

Norman

9.0

I thought this would be better. I’m getting a little bit of prune on it. The nose is there but not my favorite, more port-like. Last bottle, I think. — 2 days ago

Norman

9.2

Wow! Peat right out of the pour and no need to be near the glass and its power on the palate. Verges on hot. It’s definitely there, heavy on the tongue, more on the sides than anything. Have to love peat — 9 days ago

Norman

8.9

Wanted to love. Don’t. Perfumey/rose on the nose. Thin. No real weight on the palate or finish. I’m just not getting a lot from this — 16 days ago