Single malt samples from China and Japan
Is it just a matter of time before China becomes a player on the world stage of (single malt) whisky, or has that time already arrived? A few weeks ago, we read the news that Distillery Manager Iain McAllister has left Glen Scotia Distillery to aide in the building of a new distillery in China. But there are also products at the ready, so to say. My dear whisky friend Rowald found such a product and brought it back to Europe to share. Today we publish some tasting notes for that. It seems that the input of Scottish professionals is still very much appreciated in the east. In Japan, the whisky industry also has firm roots in the Scottish way of making whisky. We add another sample to the stack today from the land of the rising sun!
Tsingtao Single Malt Chinese Whisky, bottled at 43 % abv
First things first: A distillery bottling that was put into glass on 8 May 2025 and matured on sherry casks, presumably oloroso. No humble beginnings, the bottle is already beautiful!
Upon Sipping: Quite creamy and buttery to nose initially. Then some fruity chocolate notes, making me think of KitKat with strawberry. After some breathing, more wood notes come through. Wooden planks on the patio, and some rain fell on it. Seems very mature already, even though I have no indication of the age of this single malt. Same goes for the taste. The sherry casks masks any inefficiency there might be, providing a mostly herbal, almost spicy palate. You could compare this with some young malts from Scotland indeed, with modern sherry influences, like a very recognisable nuttiness. I think of GlenWyvis and Ballindalloch. Only at the end, the finish, I feel like this Tsingtao Single Malt Chinese Whisky still lacks some character. There is some unpolished bitterness that is less to my liking. But that Tsingtao has a solid spine to build on is very evident. On repeated sipping, some sugary sweetness adds a nice extra flavour.
Word to the Wise: Impressive introduction to this Tsingtao Single Malt Chinese Whisky, I like it a lot, with its nice mixture between Speyside and Highland styles.
Score: 81 points.
Mars Komagatake, Limited Edition 2018, bottled at 48 % abv
First things first: Single malt Komagatake Japanese whisky from the Mars Shinshu Distillery. This limited edition was released in 2018 and matured in a combination of bourbon barrels and American white oak casks. Limited edition of 10.000 bottles.
Upon Sipping: The distillery was already established in 1985, but silent since 1992. In 2011 the stills were fired up again. This was probably their first limited edition release and it opens rather modest on the nose. Mostly floral notes and light whiffs of vanilla, which was to be expected considering the casks used. The taste has more to offer, with a nicely sweet arrival on the tongue, with vanilla pods exploding on the palate. The finish carries a good punch, and brings more creamy vanilla. All in all, rather one-dimensional, but perfectly executed, I must say. With water, the Mars Komagatake turns even more floral. It is all very straightforward and unassuming, a nice everyday dram.
Word to the Wise: Perhaps a bottling at a difficult age, or the wood not impressive enough, but this Mars Komagatake has not won me over yet. We do get a good impression of the base liquid, but in the 2018 limited edition it turned out a tad too bland.
Score: 78 points.