The third and last sample for now: Karuizawa 1981 cask #6207, which was part of the 2012 Collection from La Maison du Whisky.
Karuizawa 1981 (58,3%, OB for LMdW 2011, sherry butt #6207, 543 btl.)
Nose: nicely aromatic. A lot of sandalwood and sweet pipe tobacco (slightly vanilla’d), a bit of eucalyptus and chestnuts. Some fragrant touches, like old roses. Oranges. Chocolate fudge. Black prunes. Hints of damp wood as well.
Mouth: spicy and slightly hot, but with a nice fruity sourness underneath. Black cherries, cinnamon cake, raisins in rum. Becomes drier over time, showing liquorice, pepper, ginger and leather. A bit of herbal bitterness (cough syrup) towards the end, as well as traces of smoke.
Finish: long, with forest fruits and plenty of spices.
A good Karuizawa again, although not stellar like casks #158 or #162 from the same year. Originally sold for € 250, now closer to € 1300 in auctions.
Score: 89/100