Chichibu Hanyu Ichiro's Malt The Floor Malted Bottled 2012 #6237-8800

Chichibu Hanyu Ichiro's Malt "The Floor Malted" Bottled 2012 #6237-8800, Single Malt Whisky, Japan, 70cl

This whisky was made using barley which was traditionally "floor malted" by Chichibu distillery staff at a UK floor maltings in 2008. This process is extremely rare these days due to the expensive, labour intensive process involved. The whisky was distilled in Japan in 2009 and bottled, 3 years' later, in 2012 at cask strength (50.5% ABV). Bottle #6237 of 8800 produced. Believed to be aged in a combination of ex-bourbon casks as well as Chichibu’s own original quarter casks called "Chibidaru". A balanced profile with notes of honey, fresh fruit, and subtle spice.

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"COLOUR: Light apple juice. NOSE: Definitely a bourbon nose, sweet with honey, pears, peaches and red delicious apples. Vanilla and caramel. A touch of spice, with some honey mustard sauce and eucalyptus. A bit of lemon. Malt comes through very clearly, with cereal notes. The only sign of its young age is a touch of glue – surprisingly few off notes otherwise. Honestly, I’m impressed by the complexity of this three year old malt.

PALATE: Very malty, with cereal and biscuit notes most prominent. Similar fruits as the nose. Woody. Initially comes across as somewhat light, but with noticeable alcohol burn (again, likely due to its youth). Texture improves on subsequent sips. Pepper picks up on the spice front, as does some some oaky bitterness. Water helps slightly with burn and improves the texture, but not the faint bitterness – I recommend you try a couple of drops.

FINISH: Shortish. The malty aspects persist the longest, with some of the vanilla and caramel. Turns a bit cakey over time (i.e., dry lemon cake), which is actually a positive for me. Dulls a bit with water, so you will want to go easy here."

WHISKY NETWORK REVIEW, 2016

"No peat this time, I suppose… COLOUR: white wine. NOSE: indeed, no smoke, rather herbs, barks, and autumn leaves at first, then rather greengages and green gooseberries. It’s all pretty delicate, with a little butterscotch and brioche coming out after one minute. WITH WATER: lemon-scented candle wax, going towards some young Clynelish. MOUTH (NEAT): as usual, the youth feels more in an unpeated whisky than in a peater. Pears and lemons are topping all this, and would come with a little soft oil (sunflower) and custard, as well as orange drops. Same kind of grassiness in the background. WITH WATER: very good, just a little simple. Cider apples and white cherries, with a drop of easy acacia honey. FINISH: medium, a tad grassier. COMMENTS: high quality, and pretty easy. The youth feels a bit, but its top distillate, without any doubts."

WHISKY FUN, 2017 

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.