Category Archives: Refreshed

Chichibu, In a few more years, Refreshed, Springtime

Chichibu The First – Japan’s newest distillery and their first 3yo whisky released in 2011

 

Chichibu The First Japanese Single Malt WhiskyRegion: Japan – 61.8% ABV – Likely all sold out everywhere but Master of Malt had it at one time for $148

As a lover of Japanese malt whiskies, I’ve been tracking Chichibu since the very beginning.  And the beginning can be tracked all the way back to 2008.  Yeah, Chichibu is a very young distillery but one that was sure to show promise with Mr. Ichiro Akuto at the helm.

For more info on the Chichibu distillery and Ichiro Akuto, be sure to check it out here at the Whisky For Everyone website.

I’ve tasted many of Chichibu’s new make releases (peated, heavily peated, cask finished, etc…) and was Sofa King excited to hear the announcement of their first actual whisky.

I bought this bottle the day it was released (back in 2012 in the UK market) and have been slowly sipping on it since then.  With 2/3 of the bottle still left, I thought it was high time I finally and officially review this whisky.

Here we go, y’all:

Chichibu Japanese Single Malt WhiskyOn the nose — Well, this is a treat to the nose! Warm milk soaked Weetabix, a new catcher’s mitt and lemon bars.  All of those scents are so well integrated and inviting.

Let’s dig deeper, shall we?

Chichibu Japanese Single Malt WhiskyApple porridge and a salted baguette. This is quite a foody whisky.  And, for 61.8% ABV, it’s not to hot for the nasal passages.

Finally, there’s a touch of creamed honey and vanilla bean.

On the mouth —  Very creamy and rich. Truth be told the mouth experience mirrors the nosing experience so well.

Chichibu Japanese Single Malt WhiskyWrap the nose up in a single spiced gumdrop version of what I described and that’s this whisky!

Chichibu Japanese Single Malt WhiskyDue to the holiday season (well, holiday for we Jews – the holiday is called Purim) I feel there’s a lovely lemon filled Hamantashen quality to this, too.

Finish — Medium in length with spiced citrus fruits (namely lemon and etrog)

In sum – At only three years of age, this whisky proves that Chichibu has a wonderful foundation for great older whiskies to come.  At only three years old, this whisky shows a balance and beauty that few other whiskies at this age can attain.  It’s not the most complex of whiskies but it’s delicious.  At 61.8% ABV it’s very easy going and approachable.

Keep your eyes peeled for more whiskies from Chichibu and let’s hope we see some of this lovely juice here in The States!

Koval, Refreshed

Speed dating… with whisk(e)y! Episode 1: Koval Four Grain whiskey

Chicago, IL – 47% ABV – $50

Picture shown is for the Koval Single Barrel Four Grain Whiskey
Picture shown is for the Koval Single Barrel Four Grain Whiskey

Those regular to my blog (and those that are friends via my Facebook group) know that it’s been a LONG time since I *really* blogged about whisk(e)y.  Heck, lately, I’ve had some good reasons.  In particular, a certain thing has been taking up my time, you know?  Well, this has kept me busy too!

We live in a modern age where I can tell fewer fart and di¢k jokes leading up to my whisky review.  I know this makes you sad and it makes me a little sad too.

Soon I will get back on the longer-review wagon but, until then, I’m launching a new semi-regular series called “Speed dating with Whisk(e)y!”

The idea is that each step in approaching a whisky is like a little mini-date.  I will give you my notes as I move from nose to mouth and then to finish and also give you an idea of how I am feeling about the girl, I mean whisk(e)y, as I am experiencing the hooch.

Moving forward in this series there will likely be less pictures involved…

Let’s go!

Koval-Four-Grain-Whiskey-1On the nose (Date # 1) – She’s really showing me her quality! Melons, big old melons!

I mean, I can smell melons as well as a bit of papaya. Turning now pineapple and cinnamon spice.

This one is quite fruity and most inviting (note: this is very much unlike many American whiskeys I’ve experienced)

Koval-Four-Grain-Whiskey-2On the mouth (Date # 2, I’m hopeful here! She’s not like all those other girls) –  Mouth filling and sticky sweet. Like french kissing a lollypop.

Banana forward here (hey, size doesn’t matter here, put that thing away!).

Tropically-and-fruitily sweet with star-bursting spice.

Koval-Four-Grain-Whiskey-3Finish (Date # 3: The deciding factor)– Short in length but there is an interesting note of hot mint chocolate cocoa.

In sum (The decision)– I think I might have a glug-buddy in this one. Sure, I’m not going to marry her but we’ll have a lot of fun together.

If you enjoy adventure in your whiskey, this one is well worth your time!

Special thanks to the folks at Koval for the sample!

Glenlivet, Refreshed, Summertime

The Glenlivet Alpha [Dawg] invades my mouth and sense and I share my opinions with you. Fun!

 

Highlands region – 50% ABV – About $150.  Good luck finding some!  Only 3350 bottles were made available.

So, what in the blue $#%@ is Glenlivet Alpha?!  Well, there were a lot of people wanting to know just that.  Glenlivet, those sneaky little buggers, decided to make this whisky a big ‘ol secret: bottle the whisky in a black bottle with zero info, packaging came with zero info and there what, guess what?  Zero info around the web as to what this whisky was all about.

So, what do we know?  It’s bottles at 50% ABV which means there is no chill filtration needed.  And, at only 3350 bottles and this being sort of a special one-off and coming in a black bottles, I am guessing no caramel coloring.

So, that’s really all we know about this whisky.

What about the name?  Alpha?  Hmmm… Alpha *is* the first letter in the Greek alpha (hey, there’s that word again) bet.  (not to be confuse with Aleph or Aleph Bet).  First?  First fill?  But first fill what?  Bourbon, I’d guess from the lighter color.

So, here in the whisky blogging world there were a lot of cranky bloggers upset with Glenlivet that A) they charged so much for a NAS (no age statement) whisky and B) this expensive bottle of whisky came with ZERO information!  I’ll come right out and tell you that I was one of those crotchety bloggers.  Big price for a NAS whisky with zero information.  I was upset but I was also intrigued.

What intrigued me more is I came to find out this week that Glenlivet were going to do a big reveal on the whisky.  That I liked!  I like, too, the fact that Glenlivet seemed to be getting out of their comfort zone of 12yo, 15yo, 18yo, 21yo, etc… and decided to do something a bit whacky!  Good on ye, G’livet!

So, I tasted this whisky right before the big reveal.  I will post the reveal below my notes but, let’s see what I get:

On the nose –  Highly malty with a sweet and tangy quality to it.  Perhaps just a whiff of smoke?  Either there’s are good deal of refill barrels in the mix allowing a stronger spirit quality to come through or there is a higher proportion of young whiskies in here.

Glenlivet-1This bright and vibrant.  Light lemons (or orange) and pear, more lemons than pear.  There’s some black pepper in here, too.  It’s fun and refreshing so far!

I do detect some older, more wood influenced whisky in here.  Smaller casks?  Nah, methinks older whisky is a component.  Maybe some Cognac cask maturation in here?  Hmmm, not sure.  Must sip.

On the mouth – A very viscous mouth feel but a touch hot.  The malt carries through as does that hint of smoke I got on the nose.

I think I change my mind about the Cognac cask influence.  I change my mind about the smoke too.  This is a dodgy duck!

Glenlivet-3Notes of star fruit, unripened mango and fresh rain.  Yummy stuff!  The heat is gone after the 2nd sip, btw.  Highly sweet and malty!  Is there some Bere barley in this make up?

I know the Nadurra was with Triumph barley.  Maybe this is a them delving into different barley with less active casks?  Whatever it is, it’s delicious.

Glenlivet-2Finish – Lasting, peppery, toffee-like, sweet and malty.

In sum – If the price was lower and if there were more than 3350 bottles, I’d say this is an everyday, easy drinker!  This was a fun experiment to get people’s minds working and getting them to think about the whisky.  I am glad that there will be a reveal as to the make up of the whisky because if there weren’t, if this were all no-info marketing, it’d be a big joke without a punchline.  Kudos to Glenlivet, I say.  Kudos!

Cold Winter, Kilchoman, Refreshed, Springtime

Kilchoman 100% Islay whisky. First Edition vs 2nd edition

 

Islay Region – 50%ABV

1st Edition can be found for $?? sold out in most US stores | £77 (£66 ex VAT)

2nd Edition can be found for: $87 | £54 (£45 ex VAT)

I have a lot to cover in my side by side to these two Kilchomans so I’ll keep this quick.  As an opener, know that the 100% Islay series from Kilchoman is quite different from their standard releases:

  • They’re peated to a much lower ppm (25ppm as compared to 50ppm as per the usual Kilchoman release).
  • I’m not sure if the distillate cuts are different compared to their standard spirit runs but over all, these are a different experience from other Kilchomans.
  • Also, both editions of Kilchoman’s 100% Islay are all ex-bourbon matured whereas most Kilchomans are a mix of ex-sherry and ex-bourbon casks.

I love that Kilchoman runs this series and look forward to trying 3rd, 4th and, 5th edition 100% Islays!

On the nose — The first edition, in contrast to the latest 100% Islay, comes off as heavy and medicinal.

Truthfully, both are light in character but the second edition is quite sweet and filled with pear drops, a touch of sea air, malt, yeast and the actual sweetness of wash that permeates every inch of their distillery.

The second edition of the 100% Islay is transporting me back to my visit to the Kilchoman distillery.

Turning back to the first edition of this more lightly peated Kilchoman (both are peated to about 25ppm as compared to their standard level of 50ppm), the character is more like a rainy morning at a beach during low tide: salty, sea shells, some lemon, day old linens – comforting & relaxing as I nose it whereas the second edition is more lively and invigorating.

Two very different animals so far.  Both enjoyable.

On the mouth — First edition: great mouthfeel and more of an initial sweetness (something I didn’t really get while nosing it).  Phenolic, canvas army bags, lemons (again), salty to taste and very light vanilla influence.  This is a fine example of a young Islay whisky.  Drying as I get to the finish, too.

Second edition: More exotic in flavor! candied caraway seeds and candied young lime rind.  I am reminded of a Thai dish I was told was called “Ming Com” I had once while in Seattle.  There was some sort of green leaf I used to grab lime chunks and small red chilies – this is the combo I am getting here.  A lighter mouthfeel than the first edition but the flavor combination helps to make up for that.

Finish — First edition: Medium length with just a touch of wood spice on the center of the tongue.

Second edition: a long, exotically sweet finish.

In sum —  Two very different, yet satisfying drams.  For my tastes (at least as far as today goes), the second edition’s style and the invigorating element to it made me really connect with it.  I often enjoy whisky as a pick me up rather than something meant to relax me.

Want to relax?  Get the first edition.

Need a pick-me-up?  the second edition is the way to go!

Special thanks to ImpEx for the sample of 2nd edition Kilchoman.  The 1st edition was my bottle but now I want a bottle of the 2nd edition 🙂

My guess is you’ll enjoy Jason from Guid Scotch Drink’s review of the Kilchoman 100% Islay 2nd edition