Chichibu 2017 From Tokyo to Paris Traveler Edition

 

 

 

63,4°

Distillery : Chichibu - Japan

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

Chichibu produces a large number of very limited editions for all occasions, including Whisky Live Paris, an important event because Chichibu has been associated with it for several years. But this one is a Traveler Edition, even harder to find than the others, with only 204 bottles available. The maturation is simple, in 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel, and should give pride of place to the identity of this highly reputed distillery.

Let's Taste It : 

Creamy lemon, indulgent vanilla, chocolate shavings, brown sugar, a few drops of caramel, crème brûlée, egg custard. Behind, pine thorns, dried herbs, chives. An ounce of minerality, salt crystals, quartz. Tying it all together, some floral hints, primroses, chicory, juicy white grapes and ripe pears. On the palate, it's like a warm croissant, but still with vanilla and lemon, malted cereals, wheat, oats, puffed rice, shortbread biscuits, forest berries. Very measured spices. Very long finish, powerful but controlled, warm apple doughnut, liquorice and chamomile. The vanilla is still there, as if impregnated in a dry, sandy earth.

In Short, 

Of course it's excellent, the quality of the cask is impressive, and the distillate remarkable in every way. But is it worth the price it's sold for? Absolutely not. I have to admit that I find the hype surrounding Chichibu a bit excessive, it's very good quality, but the prices are really crazy. And despite that, it's always sold out very quickly, like this one, just out and already impossible to find. That said, everyone puts their money where their mouth is, as long as it's not vulgar speculation, and sincerely appreciated.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                           Wagakki Band - Homura

Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival 2017

 

 

 

57,6°

Distillery : Lagavulin - Islay

Refill American Oak Hogsheads and Refill European Oak Butts

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2017

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 38 ppm 

Lagavulin has been an official sponsor of the Islay Jazz Festival since 2010, and since 2011 a special bottling has been available for this three day event held in the whisky capital. This one was released during the 2017 festival and is ageless, but that's not to say it's very young. Aged in American and European oak casks, it is likely to have been influenced by Sherry and Bourbon. 6,000 bottles were produced, each selling for £99 at the distillery at the time. Today they are worth more than three times that amount.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Thick, molasses-filled peat, salted butter caramel, melting toffee, quince jam, juicy mirabelle plums. Mountain honey, mineral notes, a generous pinch of salt. Noble woods, cedar, wild cherry, a few ivy leaves. On the palate, creamy vanilla and cinnamon, loaded with fat, maritime peat, coal, tar, dust. Not too strong spices, nutmeg, black pepper. Not very ripe greengages. The finish is long and explosive, still peaty and tarry, but with more and more fruit, shortbread biscuits, apple crumble, lemon pie, hot chestnuts.

 

In Short, 

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that this is a blend of a rather young whisky and another that is considerably older. There is a tension throughout the tasting, between a powerful, mineral and salty peat, and a racy elegance, intense and sweet fruits. That's what makes this bottling so interesting, captivating and unique. It's obviously long sold out, but because it's ageless, it's not overly expensive, so it's definitely something for fans to try.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Underground Youth - One of the Dreamers

Secret Highland 2008 Whiskybase 16 yo

 

 

 

59,3°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Highlands

Bourbon Barrel 

Independent Bottling 

By Whiskybase.com

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

Whiskybase is probably the most popular whisky website in the world. In fact, it's so efficient that it has already referenced more than 250,000 bottles. To celebrate this unprecedented event, this bottling has been released, not by Archives, the trading company belonging to the site's owners, but directly by the site itself, Whiskybase.com. The distillery is secret, but rumours suggest Clynelish, which would not be surprising. The maturation is very simple and took 16 years, with 247 bottles produced.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Juicy white fruits, plums and mirabelles, banana, melting white chocolate, vanilla pastry cream, intense candle wax. White peaches, yellow apples, Comices pears, liquid honey, beeswax, royal jelly. A pinch of salt, mineral notes, minimal peat. On the palate, oily almonds, chocolate cookies, salted butter caramel, hazelnuts, a zest of lemon. Very light spices. Long and beautiful finish, dried fruits, apricots, raisins, dates, blood oranges. Shortbread biscuits, chestnuts. Lemon macerated in herbs.

 

In Short, 

To me, this is definitely a Clynelish, and an excellent one. The influence of the cask is just strong enough to enhance the distillery's waxy and lemony character, giving a fruity and very distinctive result, close to perfection. What's more, the price is very low for a 16-year-old single cask, so all those who pounced on this bottle as soon as it was released were totally right. On the other hand, it's sold out now, and I think the price on the secondary market will be much higher.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Ain't Sisters - Heart Attack

SMWS 2010 95.73 Raisin Rodeo 12 yo

 

 

 

65,3°

Distillery : Auchroisk - Speyside

1st Fill Heavy Toast Medium Char Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Founded in 1983, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society has now produced thousands of bottlings, including more than 73 from the Auchroisk distillery, which is little known because its production is mainly for blends. The cask used here was heavily toasted to produce a smoky flavour unusual in Speysiders. 177 bottles were produced.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Macerated grapes, soggy wood, fairly strong brown tobacco, cigar ashes, shoe polish, dates and figs, marzipan, pudding, dark chocolate, black fertile earth, bay leaves, pan-fried mushrooms. Various vegetables. On the palate, still fermented grapes and dark chocolate, with liquorice and coffee, pastry filling, fierce spices, nutmeg, cumin, cinnamon, black pepper. Explosive finish, very powerful but not very long, cola, cedar leaves, Armenian paper, and still dark chocolate and grapes, deep earthy notes, chestnuts, truffles, sesame seeds.

 

In Short, 

It's very interesting, but I don't find the style of the other Auchroisk I've tasted at all. This one has a lot of character, which wasn't necessarily the case with the others. It's quite woody, with a hint of dried fruit. The finish is very intense, perhaps it would have been better to add a little water. All in all, it's not bad at all and deserves to be tasted. As for buying one, it's complicated, firstly because it seems to be sold out, and secondly because the high alcohol content may discourage some people.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Chapter 24 - I've Never

Edradour Vintage 2000 Barolo Cask Finish 18 yo

 

 

 

56,5°

Distillery : Edradour - Highlands

Ex-Bourbon Casks and Barolo Wine Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

There are many editions of Edradour finished in barrels of Barolo wine, but only one is 18 years old, and that is this one. It is a blend of two 12-year-old Bourbon casks, finished for 6 years in a barrel of this highly reputed Italian wine. The result gave 578 bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Woody and spicy notes, soft and moist bark, black cherries, apricot tart, dried dates, cinnamon and nutmeg, heather, ivy, earth and chocolate. Slight hints of menthol and lemon, forest honey, candied quince. On the palate, dark berries, orchard fruits, Conference pears, Golden apples, salted butter caramel, vanilla custard, fig and chocolate filling, intense spices, whole almonds, peach stones. Long and powerful finish, but not quite explosive, bark, resin, maple syrup, shortbread biscuits, speculoos crumbs.

 

In Short, 

The wine's influence brings forest and spicy notes, which are very interesting, chocolatey, earthy and woody, quite original. I'm not totally won over, but I'm impressed. Unfortunately, the price is excessive.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Limiñanas - Prisoner of Beauty

Glengoyne 1999 Master of Malt 20 yo

 

 

 

50,5°

Distillery : Glengoyne - Highlands

Sherry Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Master of Malt 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

It's often forgotten, but Master of Malt isn't just an excellent spirits website. It's also a respected independent bottler. This 20-year-old Glengoyne can testify to that, having aged honourably in a Sherry Hogshead before being sold in 130 bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Blueberries, redcurrants and blackberries, black grapes, all wrapped in a cosy bark, lichen, vegetal moss, soft caramel, roasted hazelnuts, melted chocolate on warm pear, light mineral and spicy notes. Morello cherries, liquorice, a pinch of blackcurrant. On the palate, orange marmalade and dark chocolate, treacle, candied ginger, various spices, thyme and nutmeg, fir honey, where red fruit swims. Honeysuckle. The finish is long, rich and languorous, with dried fruits, apricots, figs and dates. Chocolate custard with a dash of vanilla.

 

In Short, 

A classic Glengoyne, deep and complex, fruity and pastry-like, with delicate hints of wood. It's a great success. It is still on sale on the Master of Malt website, but can also be found at auction. Fans of the profile will not be disappointed.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Deke McGee - That's Love

Speyside 1997 Chorlton Whisky 22 yo

 

 

 

55,4° 

Distillery Officially Unknown - Speyside

Bourbon Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Chorlton Whisky 

Limited Edition 

Blended Malt

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Chorlton Whisky is a company founded in 2017 in Manchester by David Bennett. Quick to make a name for itself, it is putting together some choice bottlings, including this 22-year-old Speyside, which is actually a Kininvie teaspooned with Balvenie. Only 133 bottles came out of the cask.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Milky cereals, fresh hay, a zest of citrus, then juicy fruits, yellow apples, white peaches, melon, grapefruit, papaya, banana. camomile. Candle wax, liquid honey. Very discreet floral fragrances, yellow flowers. On the palate, a delicate dash of vanilla, enhanced by citrus and creamy fruits. Woody and waxy notes. Whole almonds. Evanescent, fluid spices. Fairly long finish, but not very powerful, a hint of liquorice, honeysuckle, reeds, shortbread biscuits, custard. Egg white.

 

In Short, 

The nose is really very pleasant, the rest is less remarkable, but you have a very good time. Why hide the provenance of this product? If this is indeed a Kininvie, it's a real opportunity to discover this little-known distillery, which is mainly used for William Grant & Sons blends. Perhaps the aim is to let consumers imagine a more prestigious origin? In any case, the qualities are there, but I don't think the value for money is up to scratch. To be reserved for the curious wealthy.

Score : 88

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                            Roni Jean - She's Lost Again

Thompson Bros. x Campervan 8 yo

 

 

 

46,7°

Distilleries Officially Unknown - Highlands, Islay and Speyside

European Oak Casks and Beer Finish  

Independent Bottling 

By Thompson Bros. 

Limited Edition

Blended Malt

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

For this one, the Thompson brothers, based in Dornoch where they own a distillery and a renowned bar, took a blend they had already prepared for another bottling, the SRV5, and finished it for 10 months in beer casks from the Campervan brewery located in Edinburgh. The beer casks used are Imperial Stout and Riesling-flavoured beer. The Blend itself comes from three regions of Scotland, North Highlands, Islay and Speyside. I think there's some Clynelish in it, because Thompson Bros. use Clynelish a lot in their Blends, and they emphasise the waxy note in this one in the tasting notes. They also insist on a very light maritime peat, so I'm thinking about Caol Ila or Bunnahabhain, or maybe Ardbeg, Laphroaig or Bowmore, but that's unlikely. In any case, the whole thing had at least eight years of maturation when the finishing began. I don't know how many bottles were produced.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Fermented cereals, ale yeast, lemon pulp, a medicinal but also fruity touch, blackberries and cranberries, green apple, white grapes, pomade, slate, quartz, nice breadth that rises, soap and foam, liquid wax. The palate is balanced, malty, with a few lively spices, wild herbs, rosemary, chives and crushed cereals, followed by a slight touch of bitterness. The finish is woody, with candied vine leaves, various herbaceous notes and a hint of liquorice. The bitterness becomes a little stronger. Green tea.

 

In Short, 

It's very interesting, and it's got the merit of thinking outside the box. It's original. However, I can also detect a few flaws, such as this slight bitterness that lingers a little on the finish, and a relatively short finish. Perhaps the whole is a little too diluted for my taste, but it's also true that I drink a lot of Cask Strength, so I don't know. In any case, it's not expensive at all, it's quick to drink and there's not much to lose by trying it.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Nunnery - Garden of your Heart