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| Hello, that is one among our (virtually) every day tastings. Santé! |
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October 10, 2024
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A brand new little ‘Japan Particular’ session
(Or extra of the most effective of the most effective of Japanese whisky)
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We had a good time with the brand new Yamazakis final time; for us, it was virtually like a resurrection after a interval dominated by soulless but expensive NAS whiskies. In any case, at the moment we’re shifting on to different distilleries, ensuring to style solely 100% Japanese whisky, in fact. Yeah, proper…
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The Nikka ‘9 Many years’ (48%, OB, ninetieth Anniversary Restricted, premium blended whisky, 2024) 
Effectively, this prestigious mix does set issues off on the best foot, although it is not solely Japanese, because it accommodates Ben Nevis along with Yoichi, Miyagikyo, and some different lesser-known distilleries. However, provided that Ben Nevis is owned by Nikka and we’re fairly keen on Ben Nevis, there isn’t any disappointment right here. Hearsay has it that the oldest element dates again to the Nineteen Forties (Yoichi 1945), which means that the youngest could be from the 2020s (9 many years, see?). So, technically, it’s a really younger whisky. However as all the time, it’s all about proportion and steadiness, is not it? Color: deep gold. Nostril: effectively, they’ve inadvertently bottled a concoction of grand darkish honeys—chestnut, heather, manuka, fir—enhanced with only a sprint of maple syrup, fantastic molasses, and pine bud liqueur. Add to that beeswax, furnishings polish, chestnut cream, and toffee. It is flawless in each approach (and sure, do save the bees!). Mouth: a masterstroke. Not often has a decidedly woody whisky been so scrumptious with out relying closely on a sherry kick. A marvellous mix of nuts, pistachios, almonds, pecans, with notes of black tea and cigar tobacco. It stays firmly inside the realm of an previous English membership, with out veering into the meaty or gamey territory discovered elsewhere (which we fairly like too, by the way in which). End: fairly lengthy, balanced, virtually contemporary, with a give attention to tobacco. Hints of mint and fir resin seem in the direction of the top, adopted by a word of orangettes as a ultimate flourish. Feedback: this doesn’t appear to be a type of NAS blends that merely flaunt an previous element (like a cheeky 1928) however are literally fairly younger on common. There actually is a big quantity of very previous whisky in right here. Oh, and save the bees!
SGP:562 – 92 factors. |
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That’s a powerful begin… Effectively, whereas we’re at it…
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Ichiro’s ‘World Blended Malt Whisky vol.4’ (57%, OB, for The Final Spirits by Rudder, third fill bourbon barrel, cask #15090, 260 bottles, 2023) 
Certainly, it is a true ‘world’ mix, not a pure Chichibu. Color: pale gold. Nostril: it’s extremely pure and contemporary, with pretty notes of morning bread, brioche, and fougasse, accompanied by only a trace of white nougat and a drop of lemon liqueur. There’s additionally a whisper of star anise and candied fruits, together with a contact of coconut that hints on the grain. With water: turns into much more in tune with Nature, the type that might have happy each Rousseau and Hume. Effectively, fairly. Some steel polish notes emerge after about 10 minutes. Mouth (neat): it is the younger malt that is calling the pictures right here. There are touches of very malty beer, seeded bread (poppy, sesame), spelt, barley syrup, a little bit of lemon, and a touch of grass. With water: pleasant natural teas, hay, barley, grist, and bread notes. End: although it is a third fill, I do discover a hint of contemporary wooden (snapped department), together with a contact of smoke. Feedback: a superb mix, maybe only a tad reserved.
SGP:351 – 85 factors. |
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Ichiro’s Malt & Grain World Blended Whisky (60%, OB, for Chichibu Matsuri 2024, refill peated barrel, cask #14841, 254 bottles, 2024)
Now, this will get a bit difficult and virtually circuitous, to not point out tautological—a mix bottled, it appears, for one’s personal competition (however the Scots try this on a regular basis). Color: white wine. Nostril: not vastly completely different from others, a contact rounder, leaning extra in the direction of the grain, with coconut and even a touch of pineapple. Chamomile and stated fougasse make an look. With water: flour, rainwater, sourdough, cake, and contemporary herbs. The grain components turn out to be extra subdued. Mouth (neat): livelier on the palate, with lemon, contemporary herbs, lime zest, and a nod to Jamaican white rum. Slightly to my liking, that. With water: the lemony side shines fantastically, with a contact of fantastic inexperienced tea, the type you savour from tiny teapots. We’re not speaking about pu-ehr right here. End: of medium size, extra on the facet of these delicate lemon biscuits they make south of the Alps (and in Corsica too!). Feedback: to be trustworthy, I did not detect a lot peat, although I have to admit I wasn’t significantly attempting to find it. For a younger mix, it’s fairly improbable.
SGP:452 – 86 factors. |
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Chichibu 9 yo 2015/2024 ‘7even Gods of Fortune Version 5 Fukurokuju’ (61%, OB, 1st fill bourbon barrel, cask #4577, 188 bottles)
Sun shades could be wanted to totally admire the label (simply joking, people!). Color: straw. Nostril: the stainless purity of an amazing Chichibu. Truthfully, one might cease proper there. Lemon, apple, clay, barley, contemporary bread, and roots—all in excellent proportions. Basta cosi. With water: it turns into extra natural, extra austere, chalkier, virtually closing up like an oyster. Mouth (neat): I merely adore this. Fats but zesty, tender but spicy, with superlative citrus notes. After which there’s the barley, holding all of it collectively. With water: chic, with a contact of honey rising, including kindness and softness. We might all use a little bit of that, couldn’t we? End: lengthy, balanced on the thread that runs from barley to honey, passing by means of citrus alongside the way in which. Feedback: you possibly can’t do higher at 9 years previous. A Chichibu that’s positively Mozartian. I do know, one shouldn’t price a whisky of this age above 90, however right here we’re.
SGP:561 – 91 factors. |
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Chichibu ‘On The Means 2024’ (54.5%, OB, Ground Malted, 1,200 bottles) 
They’ve put collectively a self-blend of ex-bourbon, ex-wine, and ex-Chibidaru (in all probability refill Chichibu, I’d wager). I discover it a bit odd to go to the difficulty of utilizing floor-malted barley solely to relaxation a few of it in wine casks, however let’s transfer on—they certainly know what they’re doing. Color: pale gold. Nostril: a lot rounder than the final one, fruitier, extra pastry-like, simpler total, but nonetheless glorious. There’s a stunning, barely earthy contact and a touch of Chardonnay—although I doubt they’ve truly used Chardonnay casks. With water: notes of bread and oatcakes, snapped branches, and contemporary bark. Mouth (neat): in fact, it’s excellent. Contemporary oak makes itself fairly recognized, then comes apple, lemon, gray and inexperienced peppers, and twigs. With water: deliciously full of life, lemony, with inexperienced apple and that acquainted honeyed contact rising. A touch of fairly candy carrot as effectively. End: lengthy, even softer regardless of the presence of lemon and spices. Feedback: you’re fairly proper, actually, we should always save the one casks for final.
SGP:561 – 88 factors. |
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Chichibu ‘Paris Version 2024’ (50.5%, OB, for La Maison du Whisky, 2,484 bottles)
As all the time, the labels are very good, with a number of variations that includes iconic Parisian landmarks. On this case, it is Notre-Dame, which is sort of totally restored now. That stated, this version contains wine casks, particularly crimson wine. Whereas it’s true that Paris and crimson wine are a traditional pairing, one may nonetheless query using these casks for a distillery of ‘Grand Cru’ calibre. It is sensible for a distillery within the third tier of Speyside, however for one of many prime 20 on the planet? Color: pale gold. Nostril: fortunately, there are not any overpowering notes of raspberry, crushed strawberries, or blackcurrant jelly. As a substitute, it’s contemporary barley, pralines, brioche, raisin rolls, gentle ale, pink grapefruit, celery, beetroot, and a really mild smoke. With water: we enter a realm of damp earth, fallen leaves, potting soil, contemporary croissants, and blueberry muffins. Mouth (neat): however in fact it’s excellent. Beautiful bitterness, hints of bell pepper, roots, candy breads, raisins, honey cookies… It’s even fairly charming. With water: now it’s excellent. A pleasant vegetal smoke—virtually like a backyard bonfire—and some currants. End: medium size, spherical, and in the end fairly approachable. Feedback: I assumed a number of occasions that it’d go off monitor, nevertheless it recovered with the agility of a well-driven classic 911. You realize what I imply.
SGP:651 – 89 factors. |
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Chichibu 10 yo 2013/2024 (64.4%, OB, LMDW Foundations, 2nd fill bourbon barrel, cask #3079, 140 bottles)
With this one, something is feasible. Color: straw. Nostril: unlawful, streng verboten. It’s not simply the excessive ABV, it’s additionally the intense abstraction of the aroma profile, purely on contemporary bread and inexperienced apple. Any less complicated, and it might simply be a grain of barley, however in fact, we find it irresistible. With water: crushed slate, inexperienced pepper, inexperienced apple, then chic yeasts, extraordinary contemporary breads, and dazzling beers… I am keen on it when the uncooked substances shine by means of like this. Mouth (neat): (a bit apprehensive) … Absolute perfection, so easy, so apparent. Cereals, apple, earth, lemon, amen. With water: quit, it’s perfection itself, virtually to the purpose of being boring – in fact we’re joking. Probably the most excellent lemon you may think about. End: lengthy, sharp as a sword, but as enveloping as a velvet cape (what?). Younger wooden, leek, inexperienced pear, asparagus, and a drop of olive oil proper on the finish. Feedback: every thing in right here is gorgeous, it’s like a late Matisse.
SGP:551 – 92 factors. |
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We nonetheless have fairly a little bit of Chichibu left, however I am undecided it might maintain up at this stage. We’ll in all probability end with a distinct distillery as a substitute…
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Shizuoka ‘Pot Nonetheless W imported barley 2024 Version’ (55.5%, OB)
From the wood-fired nonetheless, no much less. We have been fairly enamoured with the 2022 version, which had a sure summary simplicity about it (WF 89). The mash invoice right here piques the curiosity, comprising 70% peated malt from Scotland, 20% unpeated Scottish malt, and 10% German brewing malt. And there it’s, listed on Amazon Japan… should resist! Color: pale gold. Nostril: proper, let’s set dramazon apart and focus. We’ve bought apricots bathed in calmly salted honey, with a fragile, vegetal smokiness—backyard bonfire, if you’ll—then contemporary panettone, adopted by hints of grenadine and orgeat syrup, which make it all of the extra approachable. With water: ashy notes seem, together with a contact of fruity glue (consider the type from faculty days). Mouth (neat): considerably peatier on the palate, with a extra huge presence; there’s a inexperienced, oily smoke paying homage to capsicum, bell pepper, and really salty seaweed. It actually shifts gears right here. With water: all of it comes collectively, the apricots and peaches return with out the smoke diminishing one bit. End: lengthy and really saline. Feedback: fairly the journey, this one! We’re loving Shizuoka, which appears utterly unfazed by the waning novelty impact that’s caught up with so many different newer distilleries lately. Not all newcomers handle that, sadly!
SGP:655 – 89 factors. |
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Very quickly, many extra Chichibus, Shizuoka, Kanosuke, Mars, Ontake… Keep tuned!
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