Ichiro's Malt Chichibu On the Way

2013 and 2019. 2013: Nose: Vanilla, Peaches, Roses, Lavender, Grapefruit, Honey, Yuzu, Grass, Spearmint, Oranges, Pears, Red Apples, Papayas, Pineapples, Violets, Sandalwood, Lychee, Kumquats, Sudachi, Popcorn Palate: Lemon, Grass, Pepper, Malt, Honey, Pears, Grapefruits, Yuzu, Cherries, Root Beer, Peaches, Mangoes, Mangoes, Pineapples, Sudachi Finish: Malt, Honey, Grapefruit, Vanilla, Popcorn, Grass, Lychee, Yuzu, Sudachi, Kalamansi 2019: Nose: Honey, Grass, Pears, Malt, Green Apples, Bubble Gum, Vanilla, Caramel, Smoke, Red Apples, Papayas, Mangoes, Dark Chocolate, Coffee, Lychee, Cherries, Elderflower, Lavender, Yuzu, Green Apples Palate: Honey, Grass, Milk Chocolate, Caramel, Cherries, Raisins, Smoke, Vanilla, Peaches, Red Apples, Yuzu, Oranges, Herbs Finish: Honey, Vanilla, Papayas, Orange Peels, Herbs, Flowers, Sandalwood, Grass, Chamomile The 2013 has the edge, strongly evoking Japan with its sandalwood, lychee, floral, and Asian citrus tasting notes.

Chichibu On The Way 2019 - 51.5 % ABV, sample bottle. Smell: Sweet vanilla and floral up front, like a bouquet of roses covered in creamy vanilla icing. Fruits and spices with honeydew melons, stewed white nectarines, apples, Asian pears, cinnamon, cloves and mild oak. Taste: Sweet oak and woody up front, but gives way to sweet malts, baking spices and stewed white nectarines, apples and Asian pears. The wood lingers from start to finish, with oak spice that gives way to sweet oak, malts, and hints of mild tobacco. Sweet fruits throughout with a long finish. Final Thoughts: Very complex and enjoyable. One of those glasses you can smell and taste forever. All the while finding new subtle notes along the way.

Chichibu On The Way 2015 Release: An elegant single malt from Japan, initially aged in Bourbon casks and finished in Mizunara Japanese oak casks. It starts with herbaceous notes of toasted oak, peat, smoke, syrup & hints of caramel & tinned peaches; a rich middle adds baking spices, apple turnovers, pear, cola & nutty malt; and it finishes balanced with notes of cereal, sherry, dried apple chips & hints of sawdust. September 2017 / May 2018 / August 2022

If this is on the way, I eagerly await its arrival. It's clearly young but doesn't show its age. Like a very mature child who acts far beyond their years. It's polished and refined; pure quality. The nose starts with smoke and melons. The flavors include salted caramel, green apples, and ripe melons. There's a hint of peaty smoke, but it's quite different from Islay or Islander styles. I'm happy I bought a sample, but now I wish I had purchased the full bottle.

I sampled the 2015 edition of this at a tasting event. It was aged in 1 bourbon cask, 1 refill cask, and 1 Mizunara cask. It's very good, with flavors of Vanilla, Caramel, Lychee, Sandalwood, Yuzu, Peach, Mango, Flowers, Cherry, Pepper, Grass, and Coconut, and a malty, buttery, and creamy texture.

This bottling from 2013, the only one I've sampled, is exceptional. The taste of preserved fruit reminded me of my youth, and the enduring finish jolted me back to today. This spirit provided an experience, a truly pleasurable one, and isn't that the aim? Tasty