Shindo Experimental 01 Single Malt Japanese Single Malt Whisky

Tyler Bennet — Interesting but I expected more depth

7/10

The 'Experimental 01' label had me excited but this plays it relatively safe. Pleasant enough with some malty sweetness and light spice, and the higher ABV gives it decent body. I'd probably reach for a Miyagikyo at this price though. Curious to see what Experimental 02 brings.

Yasmine Najjar — Interesting but I expected more depth

7/10

The 'Experimental 01' label had me excited but this plays it relatively safe. Pleasant enough with some malty sweetness and light spice, and the higher ABV gives it decent body. I'd probably reach for a Miyagikyo at this price though. Curious to see what Experimental 02 brings.

Marco Andretti — Japan keeps surprising me

9/10

Picked this up on a whim and I'm glad I did. At 50% ABV it's got real punch — dried apricot, white pepper, and this lovely honeyed cereal note on the finish. For an experimental release from a lesser-known distillery, this punches well above its weight.

Natasha Volkov — Japan keeps surprising me

9/10

Picked this up on a whim and I'm glad I did. At 50% ABV it's got real punch — dried apricot, white pepper, and this lovely honeyed cereal note on the finish. For an experimental release from a lesser-known distillery, this punches well above its weight.

Olivia Park — Japan keeps surprising me

9/10

Picked this up on a whim and I'm glad I did. At 50% ABV it's got real punch — dried apricot, white pepper, and this lovely honeyed cereal note on the finish. For an experimental release from a lesser-known distillery, this punches well above its weight.

Elena Vasquez — Good but not blown away

7/10

Nice enough dram — clean malt, some citrus peel, hint of vanilla. But for an 'experimental' bottling I was expecting something a bit more adventurous. It drinks like a perfectly competent single malt, which at this price point leaves me wanting a bit more character.

Oscar Delgado — Good but not blown away

7/10

Nice enough dram — clean malt, some citrus peel, hint of vanilla. But for an 'experimental' bottling I was expecting something a bit more adventurous. It drinks like a perfectly competent single malt, which at this price point leaves me wanting a bit more character.

Priya Sharma — Good but not blown away

7/10

Nice enough dram — clean malt, some citrus peel, hint of vanilla. But for an 'experimental' bottling I was expecting something a bit more adventurous. It drinks like a perfectly competent single malt, which at this price point leaves me wanting a bit more character.

Maxwell Green — Solid sipper, fair price

8/10

I drink most of my whisky neat and this one rewards patience. First pour was a bit hot but after ten minutes in the glass it opened up into soft pear and toasted oak. At around £93 it's not cheap but it's reasonable for a Japanese single malt at cask strength.

Diana Cruz — Solid sipper, fair price

8/10

I drink most of my whisky neat and this one rewards patience. First pour was a bit hot but after ten minutes in the glass it opened up into soft pear and toasted oak. At around £93 it's not cheap but it's reasonable for a Japanese single malt at cask strength.

Helena Kosta — Solid sipper, fair price

8/10

I drink most of my whisky neat and this one rewards patience. First pour was a bit hot but after ten minutes in the glass it opened up into soft pear and toasted oak. At around £93 it's not cheap but it's reasonable for a Japanese single malt at cask strength.

Samir Patel — Great with a few drops of water

8/10

At 50% this really benefits from a splash of water. Neat it's all spice and ethanol, but add a few drops and you get this gorgeous green apple and jasmine thing going on. My wife even liked it and she normally sticks to bourbon.

Luna Chavez — Great with a few drops of water

8/10

At 50% this really benefits from a splash of water. Neat it's all spice and ethanol, but add a few drops and you get this gorgeous green apple and jasmine thing going on. My wife even liked it and she normally sticks to bourbon.

Tariq Hassan — Great with a few drops of water

8/10

At 50% this really benefits from a splash of water. Neat it's all spice and ethanol, but add a few drops and you get this gorgeous green apple and jasmine thing going on. My wife even liked it and she normally sticks to bourbon.

Kai Oliveira — My new favourite Japanese pour

9/10

I've been working through a bunch of Japanese single malts this year and this is right near the top. The nose is incredible — fresh linen, orchard fruit, a wisp of smoke. Finish goes on forever. Already looking to see if I can grab a second bottle before they disappear.

Gianluca Ferro — My new favourite Japanese pour

9/10

I've been working through a bunch of Japanese single malts this year and this is right near the top. The nose is incredible — fresh linen, orchard fruit, a wisp of smoke. Finish goes on forever. Already looking to see if I can grab a second bottle before they disappear.

Clara Johansson — My new favourite Japanese pour

9/10

I've been working through a bunch of Japanese single malts this year and this is right near the top. The nose is incredible — fresh linen, orchard fruit, a wisp of smoke. Finish goes on forever. Already looking to see if I can grab a second bottle before they disappear.