Distilled: 2011 - Bottled: 2015 - Outturn: 5980 bottles - ABV: 62.5%
Nose:
Past the obvious attributes of earthy elements and sweet peat a mixture of
sweet and savoury layers emerge. In no particular order a lovely layer
of banana fritters caress your nose – quite prolonged really. Between bursts of
cold charcoal ash there’s a sweet fragrance of dried sweetgrass, barbecue
savoury crackers, and a few assorted dried meats (semi-smoked pork) - actually Jamaican Jerk
chicken? Thai basil. Quite chameleon in character with the introduction of water, and all
for the better in my opinion. H20 draws out what I associate to be lemon Strepsils. Time and H20 revealed what I
associate to be a subtle likeness of Yuzukosho. Engine oil. Then, what I can only describe as a Tiger lily that has been squirted with tar
spray…
Taste:
Naturally the earthy peat and charcoal ash is relatively dominant. But there is
more to it. Smouldering cigar leaf, PVC toys, spicy citrus BBQ sauce, and the
lemon Strepsils are back. Thai basil. Perhaps one of my favourite tastes on the pallet is
the unmistakable mouth coating flavour of Porky
Bits (pork crackling cracker snacks). With water salted pistachio and ash
baked potato skins. However, a little too much water can make this go a bit
dry.
Finish:
Maintains a reasonable ride with Thai basil, pork crackling snacks, and ash dust from baked
potato skins. With water, again, salted pistachios.
Comment:
The 2015 edition is the 3rd release of Chichibu’s ‘peated
expressions’. All 3 limited releases maintain their own uniqueness and subtle
characteristics that I liked so I’d be hard pressed to nominate a favourite. If
pressed I’d most likely reveal however which one I’d lean to the most.
