Chichibu The US Edition 2021
Whisky: Chichibu The US Edition 2021
Country/Region: Japan
ABV: 53.5%
Cask: New American Oak, Bourbon Barrels
Age: N/A (Bottled 2021)
Nose: Cooked grain, orchard fruit, cinnamon, slightly metallic and earthy, dried vegetation, charred wood.
Palate: Medium-bodied, honey and holiday baking spices, freshly chopped wood, malty pastries, maple, peppery toward the end with charred wood and minerals or stone.
Finish: Medium to long with spiced orchard fruits, pastries, and a kiss of smoke.
Score: 7 (82)
Mental Image: Bucolic Morning Fare
Narrative & Notes: Cooked grains and orchard fruits arrived on the aroma like apple slices and cinnamon over hot oatmeal with a side of maple syrup to sweeten the affair as needed. Stone and hot metal developed with some dried vegetation and wispy smoke as if a wood-fired outdoor oven or grill had been put alight or prepped for an evening bonfire. Medium to full-bodied on the palate with gentle honey, cinnamon, cardamon, and freshly chopped wood. Malty pastries lingered further in with more honey and hints of pistachio and maple. Peppery toward the end with charred wood, toast, and a warm stony-minerality. The finish was medium to long with spiced orchard fruits, pastry, and a kiss of smoke.
As long you don’t think too long about the price, Chichibu rarely disappoints. The US exclusive releases have typically been on the affordable side, at least as far as Chichibu goes. They highlight different aspects of the distillery by varying vattings of peated, unpeated, large or small format casks, and many others. This release featured a stronger honey and maple core and less herbal or incense notes compared to prior editions. It had a good progression between fairly distinct layers of flavor, though it did feel a bit more youthful and peppery.
Overall, tasty and enjoyable— felt more Irish than normal for Chichibu.
