Chichibu Hanyu Ichiro's Malt 23 Year Cask Strength

Chichibu Hanyu Ichiro`s Malt 23 Year Cask Strength, Japan, 70cl

This Japanese malt from the Hanyu Distillery was distilled in 1985/1986, matured for 23 years (in a mix of a hogshead, bourbon cask, and sherry cask) and bottled in 2008 at Cask Strength (58% ABV) for the Ichiro's Malt range (Chichibu).

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"This oldie (from a distillery which closed in 2000) seems pretty straightforward compared to the Mizunara [see following review], but has less dried fruit than the sherry note on the label might suggest. Think dried peels rather than raisin, then stir in some freshly-polished floor. The aromas are saturated and heavy — almost as if they are drifting towards you on humid air. The palate shows light smoke and then a pleasant quinine bitterness mid-palate. This has the Japanese quality of laying flavors out very precisely on the tongue while also heightening their intensity. Water reduces the quinine effect, allowing the richness of the spirit to come through. Hanyu was a pretty big and firm (even rigid) whisky. Here that shell has cracked, allowing anise and blueberry to come through"

91/100 points, WHISKY ADVOCATE, 2010

"COLOUR: proper amber; the kind of pure amber in which you’d expect to find a fossil, if you’d watched too much Jurassic Park as a kid. Which I did. ON THE NOSE: It’s a bowl of molasses, this. Very sweet, very heady. Proper syrupy stuff. Helped along by the strength, it’s actually dominated by those notes, but brave it for long enough and there’s more wood spice and vanilla (though more the kind you get in candles trying to recreate vanilla). Weirdly some smouldering fires in the distance, but very faintly and nothing to really get excited about. IN THE MOUTH: It’s actually more sophisticated right from the off, because you’re anticipating the sweetness to wash through first, but it’s all very statesmanlike. Of course, the sweetness is all there, and it’s very sherried. This is all balanced – though not as balanced as it could be – with some bitter wood notes, a hint of grapefruit on the back-end and that mystery muskiness you get with quite a few Japanese offerings (I think I’ve said before that I like this note). It’s got that lovely structure you get with older whiskies, a medium weight in the mouth but rolling gently round the mouth. Not zippy, but withpresence. It’s extremely warming on the finish and overall is very pleasing indeed. All in all, it’s great. It actually reminds me of a Glenfarclas on steroids." 

MALT REVIEW, 2013

Also awarded "Best Japanese Single Malt Whisky 21 Years and Over", WORLD WHISKIES AWARDS, 2008

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.