Chichibu, 2009-2016, Malt Dream Cask exclusively bottled for Cask and Still, 332-0021, ex-bourbon MDC 541, 176/193, 61.8% abv.

Cask and Still is a UK magazine... but this bottle was for Bar Cask and Still in Saitama (NW Tokyo), Japan. The more interesting question is, what is malt dream cask? According to several bartenders, but not Chichibu personnel, the founder of Chichibu, Ichiro Akuto, sold single casks to bars and restaurants (and affiliated stores), to help fund Chichibu in the beginning. The pitch was to help Chichibu be the first Japanese distillery to use all Japanese ingredients and processes, i.e. Ichiro's dream. The program was for 2009-2010, or 2008-2010 depending on who you ask, and Chichibu held the cask until bottling.

Nose: plain vanilla, gets lighter with time. The typical Hanyu/Chichibu profile.

Palate: mostly vanilla, wood, burnt wood, some standard spices, becomes powdered chili spice at the end though, this effect also disappears.

Finish: medium, dry, abv burn. Not much?

Typical Hanyu/Chichibu style of toast/vanilla up front integrated well with the body, but a lack of flavors and experience afterwards.

Grade: B-

Couldn't find quantifiable, reliable reviews.

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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