Ichiro's Malt Chichibu The First

Whisky on the Hudson 9/18/2014 : This is my first taste of Japanese whiskey and wasn't sure what to initially expect. I found the nose to have a fruity sweetness with some butter hints. The whiskey on the palate hit me with a sweet, light plum profile. The texture was extremely thin and felt like it was watered down. I sadly found this to finish with almost nothing. A disappointingly bland finish. I was hoping for a rich, fruity sweetness dram. When calculating the cost of the dram or bottle into to the score, then this gets 1 star.

Delicious stuff. Notes of green apples, pears, cinnamon, sandalwood, nutmeg, vanilla, white peaches, lavender, Violets, Roses, white chocolate, gingerbread, buttercream frosting, Yuzu, and lychees. This was the first, 3 on the ways, and soon the first ten year. Looking forward to what the 10 brings when it comes out.

Wonderful to taste straight. It makes a warming (not burning) feeling in the mouth and the flavours develop the longer it’s held.

Trying Golden Horse 8 years. Sweet and just right there . Pretty good. Soft. 12 years is more peated , but also good.

Feels like a very young whisky. A little smoke on the finish. Wouldn’t buy a bottle at secondary prices.

Ichiro Malt & Grain $150. C&B 9/16. Rich vanilla, bright fruit, subtle chocolate, delicious.