Shizuoka Pot Still K Japanese Barley First Edition Duo Set, 55.5%

Once the high alcohol blows over, there’s a vibrant cloud of citrus aromas, especially lime zest and grapefruit peel, backed by green herbs and barley sugar. It’s young and distillate driven, but the sweet vanilla flavors carry candied orange and lemon, toffee, and peppercorn, topping out with ginger, pear, and chocolate, then spiced pear to finish Splendidly drinkable at cask strength, with good mouthfeel and weight. (250 sets of 200-ml bottles for the U.S.)