Eighteen and Gorgeous Scotch and Japanese Whisky

The whisky is firm, fresh and yet it shows a confidence only brought by maturity. 18 seems to be the sweet spot for fine Scotch/Japanese Whisky: vibrant, with a lot of personality and character. Let us explore a variety of styles, all at 18 years certainly, and see if this age statement holds up to its fame. In the Industry, some swear by 15, others say 21 is really the peak...we need to know what happens in between. Why is it such a benchmark, and is it even still a valid one in this era of "NAS" (no age statement)? How relevant is age after all? Well, just like you can't drive until a certain age, some whiskies can be too green until a certain point. What is the impact of longer maturation, what is the chemistry at work in these warehouses of Scotland and Japan? What if the barrel had a negative influence on the whisky? This class best serves the regular Scotch/Japanese Whisky drinker...and all savvy palates alike!