Chichibu 6, 2010-2016, Ichiro's Malt, Whisky Talk Fukuoka 2016, 1st: First Fill Barrel, 2nd: Oloroso Spanish Oak Hogshead,  6/306, 59.4% abv.

One of the famous Whisky Talk Fukuoka bottlings, this one being from the "Moon and Vanishing Animals" (月と失われゆく動物) series. This one is called オオサンショウウオ, which means Giant Salamander... not sure why it's in katakana as the Giant Salamander is native to Kansai. Katakana are basically Japanese letters/characters used for spelling non-native Japanese words. For some reason, it takes me forever to read katakana, but I can read hiragana relatively fast. When I was living in Kyoto many years ago, I saw several TV programs showcasing a local giant salamander slowly walking up a specially designed conduit at the side of small dams. Interestingly, the Eastern US also has a type of giant salamander. That one is nicknamed "hellbender", so you can imagine what the locals thought of it.

Nose: strong vanilla, chocolate, white sugar, mesquite BBQ.

Palate: initially there is vanilla but that disappears very quickly, overall dry, sherry fruity, that dark spanish sherry profile of intense fruitless sherry, wood, vines, and super dehydrayed red fruits, I don't know how to properly describe it, but I've had similar experiences with a few Ichiro's Malt cards, back palate has a vanilla flavor trail to it.

Finish: short but very dry, a slight dry jam flavor coats the mouth.

Very intense, strong vanilla on the nose and then that original super spanish sherry that I can't handle, especially at CS. I feel due to my amateurism, I'm unable to appreciate a magical bottle like this one. It is good, tasty, has all the elements that show you you might not be ready for advanced tasting. I admit it is way over my head, but I can only grade it through my abilities.

Grade: B-

Couldn't find quantifiable, reliable reviews.

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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