IV The Emperor 4y

About

Saburomaru Distillery in Tonami, Toyama Prefecture, is the oldest whisky producer in the Hokuriku region, founded in 1952 by sake brewery Wakatsuru Shuzo. The Emperor IV marks the fourth release in the Tarot series and represents a deliberate commitment to heavily peated Highland malt (50 PPM). At just four years old, this is a bold, youthful statement—fermented in traditional wooden mash tuns that contribute fruity complexity beneath the smoke. Matured in bourbon casks, the whisky carries a smoky, mineral backbone. Released in June 2024 as a limited bottling at 48% ABV—a more approachable strength than later cask strength variants. On the nose: ashy smoke and vanilla. The palate reveals chestnut and apricot, underpinned by oily peat and a slight coastal tang. The finish is long and dry, smoky with a lingering sweet echo. This is not a polished, refined whisky—it is raw and honest, a young fire unafraid of its own intensity.

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