Chichibu, 2009-2015, Lu'mine x Ichiro's Malt, Malt Dream Cask exclusively bottled for Lu'mine, 110/203, 62.4% abv.

I don't really know who or what Lu'mine is, but a google search shows Lumine is a fashion retail chain found in most Tokyo area subway stations (and Singapore). Is it that Lumine that this Chichibu was bottled for? Actually no. Lu'mine is the name of a bar in Chichibu. Confusing huh? The original bar name, 蔵部るみん, is also interesting. The "蔵部" part is a partial phonetic play on words as it sounds like "club", but also means a storage area, typically assoicated with "酒蔵" which is the place you put liquor. Not sure if I'm 100% correct on this, but any light on the matter is appreciated. To make it even more confusing is that it's a Malt Dream Cask (meant for bars, restaurants, and major retailers), so no help there. It's also one of the few Chichibu single casks that doesn't show the cask number. Although I'm a little confused as to why that white lighting-like line is there, the label has an interesting design and felt really nice too.

Nose: white chocolate, perfume and toast, sweet honey.

Palate: sour-like bread on the initial palate, toasty, like eating chocolate cake with some raspberries, ginger or cooked ginger in there that also transitions into the finish.

Finish: medium, sour, some hints of cooked ginger.

I feel the quality is there, but I'm not a big fan of that level of chocolate in whisky... yet, although all the other elements are excellent. Interestingly, I feel most Chichibu taste similar or within a range of vanilla/toast, especially with bourbon casks, but this one was different. This bar reminds me of an American liquor store, they have a wide selection, but prices are steep and you'll get lost when there are other customers. It's really hard to find too, like most places in LKF.

Grade: B+

Could find quantifiable, reliable reviews.

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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