描述
Miyagikyo NAS Whisky 宮城峽 日本威士忌
追求和余市威士忌不同的個性，有細膩柔和的味道
作為日果公司的第二家酒廠，位於日本仙台市郊，接近官城峽縣。廣瀨川和新川在這裡合流，有着豐富的水資源，而且受益于穩定的北部自然環境。1969年建成的官城峽酒廠，不僅有麥芽威士忌用單式蒸鎦機，而且有谷物威士忌用的連續式蒸鎦機。在這裡釀造的麥芽威士忌原酒，具有跟酒味濃烈的余市威士忌是完全不同的風味，屬於低地風格的纖維圓潤風味。
Miyagikyo NAS Whisky 宮城峽 日本威士忌
近年來，由於著名威士忌評論家 Jim Murray給予日本威士忌很高的評價，再加上在各種大型的威士忌比賽中，日本威士忌獲獎無數，以致引來了不同的國家的高度關注。可惜的是，由於日本不同的蒸餾所紛紛停售高年份酒款，令到市場上著名蒸餾所如余市或宮城峽的高年份酒供不應求，可謂飲一枝少一枝。這令一眾日威發燒友不禁嘆息高年份日威難求，貨架上只剩下一堆無年份的新酒。
不過，無年份標示(No-Age Statement)就代表難以入口嗎？非也。一枝酒的好壞，並非只取決於它熟成的年份，要仰賴很多不同的因素，才能製成一枝有個性的酒。所以，品評一枝酒的時候，切忌只是看這枝酒是否高年份。而這次，我便要介紹一枝可能很多人不屑一顧的酒，那便是NIKKA出產的宮城峽(無年份)。
Nikka集團下另間蒸餾場，就是仙台的「宮城峽蒸餾所」。
有前輩稱余市是高地威士忌(Highland Malt)，而宮城峽為低地威士忌(Lowland Malt)。
竹鶴政孝花了幾年時間去尋找適合建廠的處所。 1969年他找到令他滿意的水質與溫濕度，於是決定在仙台設立了旗下的第二座蒸餾廠-仙台蒸餾廠(現改名為Miyagikyou宮城峽)。這裡除了蒸餾酒液之外，竹鶴政孝興建了很多蘇格蘭傳統曾架式的儲酒架，利用此地較高濕度優勢，幫助酒液活得更好的熟成。
Miyagikyo Single Malt Bottling Note
Replacing the previous NAS Miyagikyo single malt as well as the remaining age statement expressions, this single release will represent the distillery going forward as demand for Japanese whisky remains as strong as ever. The new single malt is said to be made with whiskies spanning various ages (hinting at the inclusion of older whiskies than the previous NAS release) with classic delicate, floral character and primarily ex-Sherry casks used for maturation.
Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt
Producer’s Tasting Note:
Nose: Full-flavoured, rich. Initially, concentrated iris notes hint at the extreme intensity of the nose. It then develops aromas of malted barley, exotic fruit (banana), liquorice and camphor. Notes of burnt wood and ash progressively settle over the aromatic palette. Long after, white flowers and beeswax make an appearance.
Palate: Firm, lively. Malted barley is at the heart of the palate, coated in herbaceous, liquorice, spiced (ginger, cinnamon) and chocolate tones. Very elegant, the mid-palate also delivers plenty of energy and as it draws to a close, fresh tobacco leaves and coconut intertwine to create a natural symphony of aromas.
Finish: Long, soft. It evokes the scent of wilted roses. Fine tannins balance its tangy character (lemon, grapefruit). It lingers on notes of tobacco, spices (cardamom, ginger), toasted nuts and stewed fruits (apple, damson). The final nose reveals exotic notes (lychee).
「根據香港法律，不得在業務過程中，向未成年人售賣或供應令人醺醉的酒類」
”Under the law of Hong Kong, intoxicating liquor must not be sold or supplied to a minor in the course of business.”
