Chichibu 10yr "The First Ten"

Better than Yamazaki and Hakushu 12 year olds. Nose: Honey, Vanilla, Pineapples, Caramel, Peaches, Nutmeg, Raisins, Figs, Walnuts, Coconuts, Bubble Gum Palate: Caramel, Milk Chocolate, Vanilla, Kiwis, Grapefruit, Almonds, Raisins, Mangoes, Figs, Pineapples, White Chocolate, Roses, Sakura Finish: Vanilla, Honey, Grapefruits, Caramel, Walnuts, White Chocolate, Cinnamon, Pepper, Lavender, Roses, Sakura

“ I’m not a fan of whiskey. I find it too rough. Kind of prefer wine “. I love to hear those words and also happen to see an open bottle of this rare unicorn on the shelf. This is the first 10 yr whiskey by Chichibu, and as you can imagine, it was impossible to buy. And yet, here i am at my wife’s friend’s Diwali party, and I see this on their shelf. Open and half finished already. Apparently the host got this as a gift from a client, who was totally unaware he doesn’t like whiskey or know anything about it. So, this goes for well over $1000 in secondary. I don’t think any whiskey should be bought for that much…after all, it’s just malted barley and water. But…i won’t deny myself a pour, when the bottle is already half done. Nose is peach, some grass. Taste…really crisp like gin, and coconut. Okay, it’s good. But hell no $1000 good. Tasted blind, I’d guess this was a really well made Highland or Speysider whiskey, about 15-18 yr old. For those that collect Chichibu. sure they’ll fork the money. Me, personally, I’m not yet that insane or “Crazy Rich Asian” rich to buy. But my sincere gratitude to the non-whiskey fan who so openly had this bottle sitting next to a bunch of pinots and Cabernets.