Whisky: Ichiro's Malt Double Distilleries 2021 "Chichibu x Komagatake"

Country/Region: Japan/Blended Malt

ABV: 53.5%

Cask: Oak

Age: N/A (Bottled 2021)

Nose: Stone fruits and pastries, honey, vanilla, aromatic wood, leather, dried florals and grass, fresh lumber.

Palate: Medium-bodied, stone fruits, persimmon, peppery spirit, aromatic woods, pepper, orange rind, incense.

Finish: Medium-length and drying with citrus, woody stone fruit pits, and fresh lumber.

Score: 6-7 (80)

Mental Image: Mother’s Kitchen in the Palace of Memories

Narrative & Notes: Peach and nectarine cobblers fresh from the oven offered up sweet stone fruits, honey, vanilla, and malty pastries with gooey caramelized sugars.  A touch of dried flower petals with aromatic woods and wood resin brought to mind a bubbling pot of potpourri with hints of waxed leather and freshly milled lumber. Medium-bodied on the palate, it opened with mellow plums and apricots alongside slightly drying persimmon and peppery spirit. More musty herbs appeared toward the back with a touch of lamp oil, aromatic woods, pepper, orange rind, and incense sticks. The finish was medium-length and drying with a gentle citrus, stone fruit pits, and fresh lumber.

This marriage of casks from two different distilleries presented a fairly well-balanced and harmonious union with only a touch of peppery spirit. Though aspects of Chichibu and Mars Shinshu came through cleanly in the blend, the flavors felt slightly muddled at times, as if the whisky was not sure who should take the lead during the slow dance. It was not the start of an acrimonious relationship, however, as none of the elements clashed.

Overall, well-composed and enjoyable— I really hope the distilleries do this again, or experiment with variations using product from Japan’s third wave of distilleries.