Monday, April 28, 2014

Ichiro's Malt "Card": Colour Joker 57.7% abv


Nose: Typical Hanyu charisma with traits we all long for. Juniper Berry & Sandalwood Potpourri with floral-accented aromas. Rare exotic spices (Sumac), apple, birch and quince - honeyed and fresh. Time in the glass introduces Brazilian grilled pineapple (grilled pineapple wedges smothered in condensed milk, brown sugar, and cinnamon). Then, mild Cassis mustard, Mariage Freres' Bel Ami tea (safflowers, roses, masked with pomegranate) and Cadbury Rocky Road chocolate. Spicy mango chutney drifts in and out from here on. With water and additional time tangy but mellow tomato and/or raspberry vinegarette. Then, again, milk chocolate but this time coating roasted coffee beans. Very chameleon like - has the ability to change.

Taste: Sandalwood, wild berry and exotic spices (Sumac) are at the forefront. Tickling the tongue from here on is mulberry with roasted pine nuts and mild mint sauté. Bel Ami tea with a smidgen of Red Gum honey. Do I detect a fusion of strawberries and Wasabi? Wandering spices are continuiously in play with peppered almonds and Cassis mustard. With water and time grilled Shiso leaf and aromatic wood (berry and sandalwood). Mellow hints of licorice. The addition of extra water adds sweet coffee beans and balsamic vinegar over fried tomato (in a welcoming way). Longer exposure in the glass provides various experiences.

Finish: Peppered almonds and Cassis mustard. Quite moderate and prickly with a playful bitterness of tea leaves and spicy honey.

Comment: This malt truly gets better and better as you get close and personal with it. Like most malts don't go by your first impression, wait until you get into your 3rd or 4th dram - patience prevails. It is forever changing with the influence of all those different cask types involved (see here).

6 comments:

  1. Good to see that you managed to get a bottle of this, Clint. This seems to be a multi-dimensional malt, with sweetness and spice flavours vying for the top spot. Interesting and intriguing!

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    1. Hi Pierre, yes, it is a malt with a vast aroma/flavour profile. As the liquid level decreases and the bottle further becomes oxidized, a new tier of tastes and smells develop. A vatting with various cask types and vintages can at times be all over the place but this is different, well compiled for now.

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  2. Great to see your tasting notes on this, Clint.
    It sounds like a lovely whisky.
    I managed to get a bottle sent to Australia, but it might be a while before I open it, because it's such a significant whisky in historical terms.
    Brian tells me that this is already onselling for 60-70,000 yen.
    It's such a shame that the wankers/speculators get their greasy little hands on these bottles.
    It means that the people who love to drink the stuff get priced out of the market.
    I won't be selling mine, but I'll be opening it on a special occasion!

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    1. Hi Alan, that is great news that you managed to secure a bottle and get it sent to Australia. Although the Colour, as you know, has a reasonably big outturn there were still many enthusiasts here that couldn't get a bottle. Well, yes, there is the resale market for those unfortunate but the value of it now at auction is ridiculous. And it is not just the Joker but any card in general. As for your bottle, when that special occasion arrives be sure to let us all know your thoughts on it. I revisited my bottle last night and it has changed yet again.

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  3. good to hear that it's an epic bottle. will definitely chime in when i start sipping on mine :)

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    1. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this Gary. Please feel free to share them with all of us. Enjoy.

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