Hanyu 2000-2016, Number One Drinks Company, Red Oak Hogshead No. 359, 56.6% abv.

Interestingly, Number One Drinks Company, the venture that bought almost all the remaining Karuizawa stock and started a gin distillery in Kyoto, was able to get their hands on a Hanyu cask! And one of the "final" vintage too. I am rumor-iz-ing, but I would assume this cask was a gift or act of good faith for having Chichibu store their Karuizawa casks back in 2006/7 when Number One was founded/Karuizawa sold-closed. Not sure what the back story to this bottle is or if it has one. Also not sure if this was matured or finished in a red oak hogshead.

Nose: perfumish, peaches, a little sweet, chemicals. All of this becomes very vanilla/toast-like after a little bit of time.

Palate: essentially syrup and wood, back palate has light vanilla. After awhile it's brown sugar on top of vanilla.

Finish: short to medium, small amounts of dry vanilla.

This is very nice. Overall very sweet and a variety of vanillas.

Grade: B

Couldn't find quantifiable, reliable reviews.