Chichibu London 2021 edition

I had the opportunity to sample the Chichibu London Edition 2021, a blend of seven casks (four peated, three unpeated) aged five to six years, then married and bottled at 51.5% ABV. The nose begins with grilled peaches, lemon-lime candy, and scorched hay, followed by cocoa-dusted almonds and a rocky, seaside minerality. It then reveals orange blossom, cinnamon apple streusel, and cherry cough drops, transitioning to rubber mulch, candied ginger, cloves, and freshly lit sandalwood incense with minimal ethanol sting. The palate offers a medium body, starting with grilled mangoes, lemon-lime sorbet, and burning hay bales. A mild spice quickly yields to charred pineapple, dark chocolate-covered almonds, and rocky seaside minerality. Notes of orange blossom, sour apple candy, and cherry pie follow, leading to leaf mulch, candied ginger, cloves, and freshly lit sandalwood incense with a moderate ethanol burn. The finish is long, featuring sea salt-covered lemons and limes, nectarines, rocky minerality, sandalwood, and burning hay bales. This is an exceptional dram, tasting significantly older than its stated age and closer to a twenty-year-old Islay. The aroma's smoke is soft and subdued, taking a backseat to prominent notes of citrus, seaside minerality, florals, and mild spices. This carries into the taste, where the smoke becomes more pronounced, balanced by sweet citrus and leafy vegetation, before a long finish with salty citrus, minerality, and a moderate, lingering ashy smoke. I've only tried two Chichibu products so far and am impressed by how refined and polished their young whisky tastes. There's a definite reason for the brand's devoted following, as their products are quite delicious but unfortunately command exorbitant prices on the secondary market. Fortunately, TWE often releases sample drams of bottles they stock, which will likely be my future method of trying this brand. I recommend anyone who hasn't had the chance to try a Chichibu to do the same, or hopefully find a bar offering drams at a reasonable price, as there is truly something special about their whisky.

My experience with this distillery is limited, but their offerings often possess a certain understated sophistication, even when the age is typically in the single digits. It truly highlights the skill and mastery of the head distiller. It is crafted with enthusiasm and a sense of accomplishment. And indeed, the cost clearly reflects its caliber. Thankfully, I only had a small sample. I was not prepared to spend the inflated secondary market prices. And I did not win the lottery, so I ended up settling for a 3cl sample. The aroma is fragrant. The peat is surprisingly held in check. Citrus and honey notes are present. Some hay is detected. The palate is where the peat makes an appearance. It is subtle, not comparable to a Lag or Ardbeg. But its presence is known. The peat is well balanced with cedar, along with some honey and floral elements. And mezcal... remarkable. This is genuinely remarkable. It's akin to having a 25-year-old Caol Ila, enhanced with a hint of oriental sandalwood. The secondary market value is likely excessive, but some retailers might still have samples. It's worth investigating.

Another standout from the 2022 Whisky Show in London: pleasant oily texture, abundant honey notes, and delicate oak spice. It's a step up from the 2022 version that was also available; that one featured nine casks, including an ex-cognac cask that provided a distinct top note.