Chichibu Hanyu Ichiro's Malt 2009 Port Pipe #2542-4200

Chichibu Hanyu Ichiro's Malt 2009 Port Pipe, Bottle #2542-4200, Single Malt Whisky, Japan, 70cl

Producer Tasting Note:

Its bright orange hue, rich sweetness, and concentrated fruitiness reminiscent of pear compote is complemented by a pleasant spicy note of clove and vermouth, accompanied by a subtle aroma of orange, freshly baked bread, and strawberry jam.

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"COLOUR: Tawny tending to a lovely mahogany\rose copper with extremely slow and thick legs. NOSE: Young and lively with a fresh grape sweetness to it. There is also some yeastiness, red fruits (strawberry, cranberries and cherries), earthiness and grain/cereal round the nose out. Overall the nose is a pretty sweet one. Even the spiciness on the nose is to the sweeter side – winter and wood spices. There is also the faintest hint of Turkish delight covered in dark chocolate for me.

PALATE: Very hot upfront (tip of tongue burn, due to the cask strength of the bottle no doubt) but that burns off very quickly to reveal dark fruit, burnt sweetness, tobacco leaves, strawberry and a slight smokiness. With some time more citrus fruits and Xmas cake mix emerge. There is a floral herbaceousness on the back palate.

FINISH: Medium to long with hot sweet spiciness, citrus fruits and Xmas cake mix. There is a slight bitterness at the very end. OVERALL: A fairly complex and intriguing whisky for one so young and the freshness does show on this whisky. The influence of the Port Pipe can definitely be felt in my opinion. I was very fortunate to experience this whisky,"

SMOKY DRAM, 2016

"NOSE: First pure damp cellar, later gentle, slightly Gammage apricot notes, honey, fresh Port wine, a little bit mineral, malt, oregano, wood smoke, a little honeydew melon. TASTE: Surprisingly noticeable wood smoke note now, apricot in honey, hazelnuts, reminds me more of Madeira-finish, the smoke in combination with the young oak and malt leaves a little barn aromas, pear with seeds, light grapes. FINISH: Dry, scorched wood, hearty malt, some apricot and honey, medium-long."

WHISKYBASE, 2019

This Chichibu "Port Pipe" edition was distilled in 2009. It was aged for 3 years in ex-bourbon barrels before being “finished” for a further year in port pipes (650L barrels that previously contained Port). It is this second maturation that would take on some of the port characteristics, including the colour. It was then bottled, at cask strength, as a 4 year old in 2013 with a total production of 4,200 bottles.

This is part of a private customer’s collection. These whiskies are in excellent condition. We are acting as an agent in the sale and the price is exclusive of V.A.T. which is not due.