Chichibu Hanyu Ichiro's Malt MWR Pure Malt Whisky

Chichibu Hanyu Ichiro's Malt MWR (Mizunara Wood Reserve), Pure Malt Whisky Japan, 70cl

COLOUR: Golden bronze. AROMA: Earthy notes of incense, rich sandalwood, and aloe (all from the Mizunara oak barrels), honey and toast, citrus peels and grapefruit, sweet and rich. PALATE: Opens with white pepper, ginger and honeyed fruit, followed by caramel and apple, then grapefruit. Smooth in the mouth. FINISH: Medium length, sweet and spicy fusion, dark chocolate, stone fruits, a touch of smoke, oak aftertaste.

Mizunara Wood Reserve is a perfect example of why the "Chichibu" brand is so successful. This is a complex blend made from various single malts that have been vatted and matured in Mizunara Japanese oak casks. 

Critic's Tasting Note:

"The Ichiro of the title is Ichiro Akuto, scion of the family which owned the now demolished Hanyu distillery, and proprietor of the brand new and incredibly cute (yes…distilleries can be cute) Chichibu distillery — even the name’s cute. This release is a vatting of different (un-named) single malts from more than one distillery which have been aged in Japanese oak (mizunara, or Q.Mongolica). Mizunara has a highly distinctive aromatic spectrum — the Japanese say that it smells of temples, specifically the incense which scents Zen temples, but while totally accurate, that’s not much help if you haven’t been to one. Think of a heavy, exotic aroma of allspice, sandalwood, even redwood, and you’re almost there. In fact, if you think of the perfumed aspects of rye, but turned up a notch, then you’re in the right ballpark. In this one there’s even a hint of trail bar — maybe it’s a hike in a California old-growth forest. The palate is soft and slow to start, then picks up mouthwatering acidity — there’s that rye parallel. Green plum and peach, balanced with spiciness on the end. Once encountered, never forgotten."

89/100 points, WHISKY ADVOCATE, 2010

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.