Ichiro's Malt Double Distilleries 2021

The aroma begins with sautéed gooseberries, grapefruit rind, and sandalwood incense, then light floral notes of honeysuckle and jasmine, alongside dark chocolate-covered dried pineapple and prunes, followed by peaches, hay, and lemon zest, transitioning to mild barrel spices with minimal ethanol sting. The flavor has a thin texture, starting with a moderately bitter and sour spice that gradually yields to mangoes, nectarines, and freshly lit sandalwood incense, then floral notes of honeysuckle and jasmine, along with dark chocolate-covered dried pineapple and prunes, followed by caramelized peaches, Granny Smith apple skin, and tart lemon candy, transitioning to black pepper, cloves, ginger, leather, and black tea leaves with a noticeable ethanol burn. The finish is brief, featuring tropical fruit, sandalwood, and light barrel spices that fade rapidly. Damn it, I was really looking forward to sampling this, as anything I've tried recently with Chichibu has been impressive, but this dual-distillery creation just didn't come together for me. The nose presents an interesting blend of citrus, florals, spices, and light oak, but a sourness detracts from the experience, which carries over to the flavor. Fortunately, it's upfront with a moderate spice that subsides into an enjoyable mix of sweet tropical fruit, florals, and mildly bitter oak before the rather quick finish where the flavors disappear in an instant. At a price nearing $300, this is a definite no for me, and I'm glad I only tried a sample.