Chichibu 2016 Collection New Vibrations 6 yo c. 6959

 

 

 

63,1°

Distillery : Chichibu - Japan

2d Fill Sherry Hogshead Spanish Oak

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Slightly Peated

Chichibu is a distillery opened in 2008 by the grandson of the founder of the Hanyu distillery, which closed in 2000. And the least we can say is that they've found the marketing recipe for success that Hanyu ultimately missed out on, so it's a fine form of revenge. Only limited editions are produced, in order to drive collectors crazy and maintain a small-scale profile. This bottling is only 6 years old, but that's already relatively old for a Japanese whisky. Aged in a 2nd fill Hogshead Sherry, 289 bottles were released from the cask, initially sold exclusively in France under the New Vibrations label.

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is as well done as you'd expect, very balanced and mellow with coarse-grained cereals and juicy fruits, groundnuts, citrus. Squeezed lemon, peanuts, hazelnuts, pears and apples. Notes of paprika, saffron. Perhaps slightly floral. On the palate, still beautifully balanced, with vanilla, pineapple, grapefruit and pine needles. Then measured spices give way to verbena and camomile. The finish is long and pleasant, a veil of silk, slightly minty mountain honey, crushed walnuts, aniseed biscuit crumbs, candied lemon.

In Short, 

You get the impression of tasting a craftsman's work, as is often the case with this distillery. It's extremely good, stunningly balanced and very silky, but for me it lacks a bit of character. The peat is barely noticeable. The price is absolutely ridiculous, which means that most people who buy this whisky will not do so to drink it, but to speculate.

Score : 88

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Balmorhea - The Winter