Category Archives: Hanyu

Ichiro’s Malt and Grain Kiyosato Field Ballet 26th Anniversary Bottling 48%abv

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IMG_3985-2Nose: Earthy, licorice, molasses, fruity notes from a well aged rum, leather, tobacco, lapsang souchong. If you can call a nose smooth this is smooth.
Palate: Again the long aged rum is prevalent but not overwhelming. Caramelised orange juice, tobacco, leather, lapsang souchong, mixed herbs, ginger heat, salt. Well balanced, interesting, tasty and with no rough edges whatsoever.
Finish: Leather, tobacco, tar, pine, molasses and coconut.
Last Word: I’ve tasted a number of Ichiro’s Malt and Grain bottling’s and this one is a stand out! Not cheap, but if you have the readies this is a highly recommended whisky and better than the majority of Ichiro’s Card Series I’ve tasted.

Rating: 92/100
Note: A blend of 25YO Hanyu Single Malt from 1990 and 33YO Kawasaki Single Grain from 1982.

Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries. 46%abv

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Nose: Lots of woody notes. Kind of like being in a carpenter’s workshop, but sweet and floral, not austere. Also, unscented soap, pears and green apples.
Palate: Basically follows the nose but adds sweet spices (cinnamon, nutmeg and licorice) and a slight soapiness to the mouth feel.
Finish: Palate smacking sweet spices, sweet woodiness, florals, licorice, cream and a hint of mint ice cream.
General Comment: Nothing much to complain about with this one, unless you have an aversion to woody malts.
Rating: 87/100

Ichiro’s Malt Mizunara Wood Reserve. 46%abv

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Nose: Quite gentle. The dominant note is honey. Also, lemon meringue, grapefruit and a little salt.
Palate: Pepper and white sauce over cauliflower. Ginger, lemon, grapefruit.
Finish: Short, with a little spice. Not a lot of power for 46 per cent alcohol, feels more like 40 per cent. Is this quite young, as I’m not picking up a lot of influence from the Mizunara wood?

Last Word: Easy enough to drink but not particularly memorable.
Rating: 79/100