Friday, March 9, 2012

Ichiro's Malt Eight of Clubs



Distilled: 1988 - Bottled: 2011 - Age: 23-year- old - Cask: 7100 - First cask: hogshead - Second cask: American oak puncheon - Bottle number: 143/561 - ABV: 57.5%

Nose: Such a peculiar assortment: baked turnips, balsamic vinegar, feta cheese, red licorice, plywood, banana chips, red skin lollies, and a faint merlot aroma. Vegetal: baby leaf and rocket leave. After 5 minutes an earthy smell breaks through.

Taste: An initial explosion of spice upfront. Excessively peppered cauliflower, heavily char grilled green capsicum skins, red licorice, and balsamic vinegar. A fresh, non-lit cigar mouthfeel. The addition of water enhances the spice further and creates a sensation of a baked turnip coated in salt and pepper.

Finish: Short-medium, big bang of white pepper witch switches between the combinations of red licorice and again balsamic vinegar. What’s that pleasant finale after moderate length: mouthfeel of a Montecristo?

Comment: Initially I didn’t think too much of this whisky. I originally considered it to be a Joker (pun intended) out of the card series. I certainly couldn’t justify its price tag of approximately 19,000 yen (depending on where sold) and I still do have doubts. That is only my opinion. However, it has become to grow on me, chameleon like qualities: ability to change in aroma and taste. I’m actually looking forward to my next dram.



Reviewed by Clint A

2 comments:

  1. This sounds like a challenging whisky as well. Quite an array of different flavors there!

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  2. In my opinion Chris (Whiskywall), this malt needs a lot of time for the array of flavours to become exposed. I wouldn't go as far as to say it's a complex malt but there is range of flavours to be had.

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