Whisky : Chichibu 8 Year SMWS 130.2 “Tropical Thunder”

Country/Region : Japan

ABV : 60.9%

Cask : First Fill Ex-bourbon Barrel

Age : 8 Years (Distilled 23 Jan. 2010)

Nose : Bursting with tropical fruits— pineapple cake, starfruit, mango sticky rice, and Dole whip.  Creamy coconut custard, taro boba milk tea, banana split, and honey follow the fruit with loads of sweet cream.  Further in were rich wood notes of old ryokan floors, church pews, sandalwood, along with hints of warm salt water pools and candle wax.

Palate :  Rich, thick, sticky, and jammy.  Tropical fruit preserves and syrup pour across the palate.  Gentle effervescence with ginger stem, cinnamon spice, and herbal honey tea.  The flavors are bright and clean with cedar wood and cream filled pastries before transitioning to tropical citrus, tinned pineapples, and canned peaches.

Finish : Long and lingering with a mild dryness that accompanies sweet floral sugars, subtle bitter chocolate, citrus, and lychee.

Score : 9

Mental Image : Dessert in the Spa

Something Similar : Hanyu 18Y; Whisky Live! 10th Anniv. (similar tropical fruits, more salty contrast)

Something Similar : Glen Ord 9Y SMWS 77.57 (similar thick/jammy, more summer fruit, less tropical)

Something Worse : Arran 14Y (similar tropical fruit, more spice, less complex, less finish)

Notes : It seems as though there are as many single cask and special edition releases from Chichibu as there are stars in the nights sky.  The distillery inspires and absolute cult-like following and obsession from collectors and aficionados.  While Chichibu is far from an unknown distillery, it does not have quite the same position in popular consciousness as well-known Suntory and Nikka labels— and no where near the same level of production as the Nikka and Suntory owned distilleries.  I think a lot of its more dedicated fans and collectors relish the fact that it feels like an unknown distillery— like an artist or restaurant that they’ve discovered before anyone else.

This was an absolute treat to be able to share for a virtual tasting.  It was supposed to be poured to celebrate our whisky tasting group finally meeting in person again— yet COVID had other plans this July.  SMWS has only released a few casks from Chichibu and considering just how delicious this was, I have to hope that they have some more hidden away.  This had all the tropical fruits and thick mouthfeel that I could want.  It was an excellent whisky and we were lucky to be able to share it.