This bottle has a pretty sizeable cult following from both how distinctive its label is and of course, the subject of its label - the Japanese manga, City Hunter.

The bottle, a 10 Year Old Glenfarclas, was bottled by WhiskyMew in celebration of the manga's 35th anniversary, having debuted in 1985 by illustrator Tsukasa Hojo. It spanned six years and 35 volumes, and was very beloved, even having a Hong Kong, Korean and French live film adaptation of it. The Hong Kong one starred Jackie Chan. Its storyline follows Ryo Saeba, a private detective who helps investigate crimes in Tokyo with his partner Hideyuki Makimura. The story takes off with Ryo finding Hideyuki murdered, and thus having to take care of his sister Kaori, who becomes both Ryo's new partner and love interest. The Glenfarclas label here depicts Ryo and Kaori.

Jackie Chan's 1993 City Hunter. Just look at the poster, could we have expected anything more? (Image Source: IMDB)

For some context, Hideo Yamaoka is a prolific Japanese independent bottler and manga fan. He's also a big cat lover, and as you can guess is what inspired the name of his independent bottler, WhiskyMew. He's best known for his Scotch bottlings that are adorned with manga labels.

Hideo Yamaoka and his super cute cat. (Image Source: WhiskyMew)

And so in classic Glenfarclas style, one of the few remaining independent family-owned distilleries in Scotland, likely the oldest, this came from a first-fill Sherry butt, a single cask as well. Glenfarclas is known for their Sherry maturation which is a big part of their whisky's identity.

Glenfarclas 2010 City Hunter 35th Anniversary, 10 Years Old, Single Cask #1497, Bottled by Hideo Yamaoka WhiskyMew - Review

Tasting Notes 

Color: Deep Mahogany

Aroma: As you might expect - lots of fruitcake, dark chocolate, coffee, raisins, figs, panettone. It was expressive and aromatic with notes that poured forth - yet it remained well-rounded and smooth, albeit tended towards the brighter side of the classic Sherry profile. No hints of sulphur either.

Taste: Medium-bodied, not as heavy as the aromas might have led you to believe, but still reasonably buttery. More of that milk chocolate, coffee, fruitcake, but more honeyed here, with a touch of chocolate-coated orangettes. There's alittle bit more on fruit jams here, and also just a touch of herbaceousness - parsley. 

Finish: Medium length, pretty much an extension of what was found on the aromas and palate, with alittle bit more grittiness of coffee grounds. The oak shows a little bit more woodiness here but doesn't get dry.

My Thoughts

I've seen this circulating on Instagram quite a couple of times and was fortunate to finally get to try it from the man himself, Hideo Yamaoka, who had attended a local whisky festival and showcased some of his bottlings.

This is pretty much bang on the buck textbook Glenfarclas! It's also a really solid benchmark for a Sherried Scotch with everything you know and love and should really be a reference point for the profile. Despite being fairly young, it was still pretty rounded and didn't have any edges or heat - although its texture was alittle bit thinner than I had hoped for given its aromas. 

Overall very enjoyable and a solid, solid Glenfarclas and a classic Sherried Scotch.

Your best bet is to find it at whisky bars, especially in Japan, if you want to try a dram, else you can find the bottle by keeping a lookout on the auction boards at Whisky Auctioneer (International).

Kanpai!

@111hotpot