Soba45
Ichiro's Malt Wine Wood Reserve
Blended — Japan
Reviewed
October 27, 2019 (edited October 28, 2019)
This is definitely an interesting profile. Almost like burnt rose water (maybe because I tried this after a Caol Ila Sassicaia wood dram). It's a bit like what I'd imagine a rose wine mixed with a pot still spirit to be. Initially I thought I wouldn't buy a bottle but by the end I think I just might. It was my favorite on the night due to it's point of difference. The aftertaste is slightly ethanolly but still good. Interestingly it includes malt distilled at the now-closed Hanyu distillery. Looking fwd to trying more of Chichibus offerings.
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@Soba45 MWR contains Scotch as well, which surprised me. 100% Mizunara would be very strong flavors, so usually these Mizunara expressions are diluted with other cask types. Obviously, they used Scotch for that...
@Slainte-Mhath Luckily I have a sample of that and Mizunara wood tucked away somewhere. looking fwd to it!
@Soba45 If you want a decent bottle with some Chichibu in it, go for Double Distilleries. At least I wouldn't mind to have a little Hanyu in my Chichibu...
@PBMichiganWolverine Woah.. their 6yr wine cask is $1400.. that's crazy! This one is around $160 and its not even their distllate!
@Soba45 chichibu , despite its young age is damn good...and really expensive. Their single casks are outrageously priced
@Slainte-Mhath Yes I thought it was a blend of their distllate and Hanyu's. Yet another scotch in disguise!
@Soba45 It is a double-edged sword with this transparency. Nowhere on the label, Ichiro claims that this is a Japanese product, and yet they are not really clear about this malt containing Scotch. Personally, I will only buy Japanese Single Malts in the future, as this seems to be the only guarantee to have a real Japanese whisky.
@Slainte-Mhath Ah interesting. I think I'm going to amend the comment about not buying a bottle as (price dependant) I think I would. It really is a nice dram It started at 3.75 moved to 4 and I reckon if i drank more would move to 4.25.
@Soba45 Chichibu's WWR contains a good portion of Scotch, as they told me at the distillery. The only 'real' Japanese whisky of their core range bottles is Double Distilleries (and of course all the single casks).