This is Suntory Old Whisky — the rounded bottle design and gold label immediately give it a distinctly traditional feel. It’s a line often recommended for those new to Japanese whisky, so I was curious and tried it myself.

As for the aroma, it’s softer and more comforting than I expected. Rather than a strong alcohol burn, it gently unfolds notes of vanilla, a touch of caramel, and a subtle woody character, making it easy to approach. Even people trying whisky for the first time shouldn’t find the scent off-putting.

It’s reasonably priced when traveling in Japan, so it’s good as a gift. It’s great for highballs, and I’ll probably repurchase it in the future.