Chichibu 2011 Imperial Stout Cask Finish #5577

I've been intrigued by Chichibu and managed to sample this particular cask, #5577, which was distilled in 2011. It underwent a finishing period in an ex-Imperial stout cask before being bottled in 2020 at 55.2% alcohol by volume, exclusively for The Whisky Exchange. The initial aroma presents roasted cocoa, lychee, and sautéed cinnamon apples, followed by honeysuckle and rosemary. Then come salted mango, fried bananas, and grilled pineapple, transitioning into light spices like ginger, cloves, and polished oak, with a moderate alcohol sting. The taste offers a rich, creamy texture starting with sweet, creamy orchard fruits, then a moderate spice that quickly yields to honeysuckle and rosemary. This is followed by salted mango, fried bananas, and grilled papaya, moving into candied ginger, cloves, and baking chocolate, with a moderate alcohol burn. The finish is lengthy, featuring mango, banana, pineapple, honeysuckle, rosemary, dark chocolate, and polished oak. On the nose, the stout cask's earthy chocolate is prominent with subtle fruit notes, but it soon gives way to sweet florals and herbs, followed by a tropical fruit blend with light spices and polished oak. This carries through to the palate, which has a substantial mouthfeel beginning with an intense fruit burst. A moderate spice then fades into a balanced combination of florals, herbs, and sweet tropical fruits, ending with a bitter chocolate note. The finish is long, with sweet tropical fruits, light florals, herbs, dark chocolate, and polished oak lingering for several minutes, gradually revealing more nuances. This was an absolutely outstanding dram, tasting much older than its 9 years. The stout cask imparted an earthy chocolate that enhanced this decadent spirit, which was packed with tropical fruits, florals, herbs, and light spices. The balance was nearly perfect, though it had a touch more spice than I prefer. These bottles seem to be long gone, with secondary market prices being exorbitant, but they appear worth sampling or trying at a reasonable cost. It's a spirit I would advise anyone to taste if they have the opportunity, and I intend to seek out more samples or bottles at a fair price to further explore this distillery.