I’ve been on fairly an extended trip in Greece which suggests all the pieces needed to be scheduled a very long time in the past and there have been only a few ‘trending’ critiques not too long ago. With numerous samples ready on my desk, it’s time to up the sport just a little and take a look at what’s sizzling off the press bottling line.
We begin with this Chichibu London Version 2021. It must be a Whisky Present bottling however it didn’t arrive in time for the present. This launch is a mix of three casks of unpeated and 4 casks of peated whisky from Chichibu distillery in Japan, all first-fill ex-bourbon casks apart from one refill cask. The result’s 5-6 years previous.
Competition attendees have had an opportunity to purchase a bottle first, and the remaining bottles at the moment are bought in an on-line poll at The Whisky Change.
Chichibu London Version 2021 (51,5%, OB for The Whisky Present 2021, peated + unpeated, bourbon barrels, 1859 btl.)
Nostril: begins in a full and fragrant method, whereas the peat is stored at bay (for now). It has these typical oriental notes of sandalwood and star anise – good. Citrus fruits, in addition to some honey and eucalyptus oil. Pencils. A number of crushed leaves, forest vegetation and rising hints of iodine and peat (Ardmore type I’d say). One thing of a dry sauna too. A bit of tight, like most (younger) Chichibus, however very top quality.
Mouth: now extra Caol Ila type, with a medium peatiness and citrus fruits behind it. Lime and white stone fruit, with a pinch of salt in addition to some dried herbs. Additionally tiny notes of mezcal and fragrant cedar, with some liquorice and cinnamon. Very faint floral touches as nicely (in between juniper berries and potpourri) which makes it all of the extra Japanese to me.
End: fairly lengthy, on citrus rind, flowery notes, with some salt and only a gentle contact of grassy bitterness.
This comes near Caol Ila in some respects, in one of the best ways potential. It additionally manages to incorporate this peculiar oriental contact – one thing floral and natural. Moderately nice, whatever the age. For those who fancy this, enter the poll (solely till tonight).
