Chichibu Hanyu Ichiro's Malt The First Distilled 2008 #905/7400

Chichibu Hanyu Ichiro's Malt "The First" Distilled 2008 #905/7400, Single Malt Whisky, Japan, 70cl

NOSE: Vanilla, honey and tropical fruit (pineapple & mango), delicate cinnamon spice and a subtle floral note. PALATE: Full and round with layers of butterscotch, toasted nuts and juicy peaches. A note of sandalwood spice from the Mizunara oak. FINISH: Long, harmonious and elegant with honey, soft spice and wood.

Distilled in 2008 and bottled in 2011, this was the first official release from the acclaimed Chichibu distillery, founded by Ichiro Akuto. Aged in a combination of 31 Bourbon barrels and Japanese Mizunara oak. Cask strength 61.8% ABV. Bottle #905 of 7400 produced.

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"Ichiro Akuto, whose family previously owned the now demolished Hanyu distillery, and have five centuries of experience in sake production, opened his boutique distillery outside the town of Chichibu just over three years ago. This is the first official release of whisky (rather than new make) and it’s delicious. Lightly scented with touches of lemongrass, fennel pollen, sweet pear, and cookie dough, it has lovely balance and weight. Water allows it to spread over the tongue. One to watch."

WHISKY ADVOCATE, 2012

"The first official whisky from Chichibu in Japan, ex-bourbon barrels (Heaven Hill), launched at Whisky Live Paris. The distillery started distilling in early 2008 and I must say I already enjoyed the ‘newborns’. Colour: straw. Nose: there are whiffs of raw alcohol at first nosing, but that should be normal at such young age and high strength. After that, quite some vanilla and touches of lilies of the valley, then more grains (porridge, barley) and apple compote. The whole is very straight when neat. With water: some interesting mustardy notes come through (dare I say wasabi?), as well as more vanilla and maple syrup. Also orange cake, biscuits, acacia honey… Nice nose, nice nose… Mouth (neat): powerful and nervous, very estery, all on tinned pineapples, pear drops and touches of champagne. Then more vanilla and a little coconut. With water: even sweeter, smoother, creamier, very compact, with those nice mustardy notes once again as well as some barley sugar, bubblegum, tarte tatin and butter pears. Finish: long, a tad greener now. Green tea (dare I say macha?), vanilla, white pepper. Very clean aftertaste, fruitier again. Comments: impressive at just 3yo and already very drinkable. What I also enjoy is the fact that Ichiro does not seem to have tried to dope it too much by boosting the impact of newish American oak."

WHISKY FUN, 2011

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.