Chichibu London 2021 edition

Another highlight of the 2022 Whisky Show in London: lovely oils, all of the honeys and a delicate oak spice. A notch better than the 2022 version that was also available; that one has nine casks including an ex-cognac one that adds a distinct top note.

I was able to get a sample of the Chichibu London Edition 2021 which is made up of seven casks (four peated and three unpeated) that have been aged between five and six years then combined and bottled at 51.5% ABV. The nose starts with grilled peaches, lemon lime candy and burnt hay then cocoa powder dusted almonds and seaside rocky minerality followed by orange blossom, cinnamon apple streusel and cherry cough drops that transitions to rubber mulch, candied ginger, cloves and freshly lit sandalwood incense with low ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with grilled mangos, lemon lime sorbet and burning hay bales then a mild spice that quickly fades to charred pineapple, dark chocolate covered almonds and seaside rocky minerality followed by orange blossom, sour apple candy and cherry pie that transitions to leaf mulch, candied ginger, cloves and freshly lit sandalwood incense with medium ethanol burn. The finish is long with sea salt covered lemons and limes, nectarines, rocky minerality, sandalwood and burning hay bales. This is a phenomenal dram that drinks far older than its age and tastes closer to a twenty-year-old Islay. On the nose, the smoke is soft and restrained that is in the background of the more prominent notes of citrus, sea side minerality, florals and mild spices that carries over to the taste where the smoke becomes more prominent working in balance with sweet citrus and leafy vegetation before finishing long with salty citrus, minerality and a moderate ashy smoke that lingers for minutes after each sip. I’ve only had two Chichibu products so far and am amazed at how refined and polished their young whisky can taste. There’s certainly a reason there is a cult following over this brand as their products are quite tasty but unfortunately seem to be priced in the stratosphere on the secondary market. Thankfully TWE tends to release sample drams of bottles they sell and will likely be the way I try this brand going forward and I’d recommend that anyone that hasn’t been able to try a Chichibu do the same or hopefully find a bar that sells drams for a reasonable price as there is something truly special about their whisky.

I’ve not had many Chichibu’s, but the ones I’ve had have a certain subtle elegance about them, despite the age being usually in the single digits. It truly speaks to the art and craft of the master distiller. It’s done with passion and sense of pride. And yes, the prices are clearly indicative of its quality. Fortunately, mine was only a sample….I wasn’t ready to cough up the exorbitant secondary prices. And I didn’t win the ballot…so, resorted to settling for a 3cl sample. Nose is aromatic. Keeping the peat at bay surprisingly. Citrus and honey. Some hay. Palette is where the peat makes an appearance. It’s subtle, not like a Lag or Ardbeg. But you know it’s lurking there. The peat is well balanced against cedar, and some honey and florals. And mezcal…wow. This is really impressive. It’s like having a 25 yr old Caol Ila, with a dose of oriental sandalwood. Secondary is probably too high, but TWE still might have samples. Worth looking into.