Whisky Review: Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu IPA Cask Finish 2017

Style: Fruity, Gingery and Bright Nose: Begins with a comfortable blend of vanilla cream and marmalade. Tropcial fruits, pineapple and overripe honeydew building on a citrus edge. Quiet forest breeze, spearmint and green pine gently sheathed by the sweetness at the core. Floral notes crystallized into sugary confectioneries which are elevated by energetic spices. A…

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Whisky Review: Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu “The First”

Style: Youthful, Sweet Orange and Vanilla Nose: Powerful spirit heat hitting the nose, peppermint surfing on top, while bright orange confectioneries chorusing full-throatedly at the core, vanilla cream settling in with bits of floral overtone. Rich and round aroma. Palate: Refreshingly sweet and crisp on the palate. Powerful heat pushes through, while orange drops flourish…

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Dram Review: Asta Morris Chichibu (Cask No. 702)

[52.3%・5 Years Old・Distilled in 2010・Bottled in 2016・Asta Morris Bottling・Cask No. 702・Single Cask Release of 380 Bottles] Nose: The nose boasts a indulging creaminess, oozing out vanilla custard and gooey egg tart centre, it’s quite a dense, unrelenting sweetness. Within the sweetness, ripe fruits are also present followed by a casual pinch of chilli and sichimi…

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Dram Review: Ichiro’s Malt Chichibu Selected by Bar Barns

[62.1%・4 Years Old・Distilled in 2010・Bottled in 2014・Official Bottling・Cask No. 657・Single Cask Release of 227 Bottles] This expression has been made with floor malted optic barley. Nose: On the nose, we have some citrus nicely propping up the bourbon cask influence with its creamy and velvety char up; it’s also floral in a rustic sense but…

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Dram Review: Laphroaig Original Cask Strength Straight From the Wood 10 Years Old

[57.3%・10 Years Old・Bottled Circa 2000・Official Bottling・Limited Release] Nose: Full bodied goodness of smoked haddock and rubber-y particles from a car drifting by.  Truly attention grabbing with a stupendous dose of iodine, pepper and Chinese watermelon flavored throat spray followed by an affirming wave of sea salt.  Traces of ginger, lemon and honey follow suit, very…

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Whisky Review: Laphroaig PX Cask Triple Matured

Style: Sweet and Smoky Nose: Fragrant, smoked-infused baked apples and pineapples served with fresh cherry pie. Cinnamon and ginger shreds dressed on top of it, a very dessert-like (with some smoke though) aroma on the nose. A pinch of black pepper sprinkled on smoked bacon at the back, soy beans undertone. All enveloped comfortably by…

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Whisky Review: Laphroaig 18 Years Old (circa 2009)

Style: Fruity and Smoky Nose: A healthy dose of bonfire smoke, iodine drops. Vanilla and charred oak working around some lay-low mocha. Tropical fruits shining through with a subtle hint of green moss. Rich and structurally sound. Nice. Palate: Radiant Tropical fruits beaming with astounding sweetness on the palate. A soft perfume touch, while condensed…

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Whisky Review: Signatory Vintage Laphroaig 1998 Aged 16 Years Cask Hand Picked By The Whisky Exchange

Style: Sweet and Smoky Nose: Fairly powerful aroma on the nose, a bit hot. Maritime peat flowing in, hay stack sits at the deep then we are graced with delicate lemon tea notes and acid pop. Followed by subtle touches of fried onions and bacon. A whiff of gunpowder, while brine mixes with emerging earthy…

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Dram Review: Kingsbury Islay 1988 Distilled at the Laphroaig Distillery

[59.1%・NAS・Distilled in 1988・Bottled Circa Early 2010s・Kingsbury Bottling・Limited Release of 238 Bottles] This Laphroaig is from Kingsbury’s quite well known Celtic Series. Nose: Iodine! The dram very much embodies the maritime landscape with freshly shucked oysters drizzled with fish sauce. Some light honey note to add to the undertone whilst some citrus and pepper add to…

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Whisky Review: SMWS 93.80 Glen Scotia ‘Rough around the edges’

Style: Fruity, Peaty and Ashy Nose: A whiff of sea breeze at fish market, barbeque smoke, followed by kelp, and acidic mineral notes. Lively maritime influence in the air. Tight with spirit hotness, Acrylic glue transition in the middle. Uplift the smokescreen and we have fragrant, overripe peaches which has been waiting at the back.…

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