Tag Archives: Lemons

Chichibu, In a few more years, Refreshed, Springtime

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

March 11, 2014 Jewmalt

Region: 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:

On 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?

Apple 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.

Wrap the nose up in a single spiced gumdrop version of what I described and that’s this whisky!

Due 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!

Cold Winter, Kilchoman

Speed dating… with whisk(e)y! Episode 3: Kilchoman 100% Islay, 3rd edition

October 28, 2013 Jewmalt

Islay region – 50% ABV – $89 | £65

Here I am, back on the dating scene! My first two dates were with a couple of sisters from America – Koval Four Grain Whiskey and Koval Bourbon.

Today I am dating a smoking Scottish lass. I hope she treats me right!

On the nose (Date # 1) – Ashtrays meet white pepper meets rice vinegar and wet cardboard.

Am I on a date with Marge Schott? Did I mention I love her? Marge does have a sweet side, you know…

Tinned fruits, brown sugared boiled apples and a butter crusted apple pie.

On the mouth (Date # 2, This girl seems to have a complex personality. Let’s see how the 2nd date goes. She could be blowing smoke up my @$$) – Heavy smoke upfront with lemon citrus spray. Say it, don’t spray it!

Burnt apple skins – this I like!

Heavy on the white pepper but there are also notes of cherries in sweetened pear sauce.

Finish (Date # 3: The deciding factor)– Notes of re-opened barbecue grill, first time since last summer. Distant smoke and old barbecue sauce…

In sum (The decision)– A fine 100% Islay expression from Kilchoman. I did like her older sister (2nd edition) a bit more as it showed a truly unique character. Still, this young lass is well worth another date…

Special thanks to the folks at Impex for the sample!

Bunnahabhain, Let's celebrate!

Abbey Whisky’s Bunnahabhain from their Rare Casks series. A 23yo elegant stunner.

July 10, 2013 Jewmalt

Islay region – 44%ABV – £80 (only available from Abbey Whisky)

I’m going to limit the preamble in today’s review because the whisky is going to be better than anything I have to say.

Let me quickly say, however, that Abbey Whisky seems to be on to something here, and that something is choosing good casks of whisky to bottle. First they released a 17yo Caperdonich and now they have this 23yo peated Bunnahabhain.

Peated Bunnahabhain can be hit or miss but this one, good people, is a total hit. Check it:

On the nose – Peated Bunnahabhain is *so* peated Bunnahabhain. Quite unique.

Peppery upfront but the peat is soft which I am guessing is due to the 23 years in the refill bourbon cask.

Smoked and dried granny smith apples. Bit-o-Honey candies (a wonderful honey and nutty mix of flavors).

Wildflower greens (minus the flowers) gives this whisky a very late summery feel.

A touch of pool water here as well.

Though bottled at 44% ABV, the peppery quality gives it a touch of sting in the nose.

Heavily salted Tomato Juice (like the V8 Spicy Hot stuff). So far so yummy.

On the mouth – Soft, delicate and nowhere near as peaty on the mouth as it was on the nose.

Very vegetal (as the nose suggested) with hints of lemon, minus any sugar that might be associated with lemons.

Medicinal and Listerine like but in a very comforting way. Those wildflower greens are gone but the flowers make themselves know.

This is, ummm, lovely stuff and it begins to grow in intensity as the finish nears.

Finish – Lovely spice and great Islay character. The finish sticks to your gullet and you’re happy for that!

In sum – One of the better, older, peated Bunnys I’ve ever had. Like grilled peanut butter and jelly on seeded rye bread, all of pieces go together so well for me. I sort of wish I had a full bottle to open and share with friends in a single night. We’ll finish together in a few hours. Yeah, it’s that good.

Special thanks to MS of Abbey Whisky for the surprise sample!

Mortlach, This one is a bit of hard work!

Exculsive Malts – Mortlach 17yo – 53.3% ABV

April 9, 2013 Jewmalt

Speyside region – 53.3%ABV – US only — Price: unknown at this point.

Day two of the Exclusive Malts reviews.

Interestingly enough, after having my little fun with the term “nut skin” yesterday, two people unsubscribed from my posts. As sad as this is, I gained three new subscribers and a few very nice emails.

Please know that on occasion, in addition to having fun reviewing whisky, I have fun using the humor of my inner nine year old boy. Sorry if this offends some but, hey ho, I’ll keep doing what I do and will be ever thankful for all of you out there enjoying my posts.

Speaking of “doing what I do,” I’ll move on with my review of this 17yo Mortlach:

On the nose – I’m struck first by the scents of bruised apples and apple cider vinegar. It’s quite present and tough to get past (thankfully, I’m enjoying those notes).

Freshly kneaded dough with a high yeast content and highly sugared cereals. Speaking of cereal, I’m reminded of a fine muesli and golden raisins, too.

Hot cinnamon and apple sauce (currently warming apple sauce). Grilled lemons.

With water it gets a bit more savory with touches of baked tomatoes.

On the mouth – Thinnish mouthfeel with a keen focus on the malt character of the whisky. Honied water and just a hint of smoke in the background.

Cracked white pepper or, is it just peppery? Hmmm…

Rubber party balloons (or balloon animals), lemon fizzy candies and well, that’s about it I’m afraid. So far, the nose wins out. Let me add some water to see if it opens this one up…

Water adds a great amount of texture to the mouthfeel of this whisky and begins to align the nose with the flavors. Adding water to this whisky was a good choice.

After about 20 minutes, it now, in an odd way, reminds me of Redbreast 12yo Cask Strength.

Finish – A surprisingly long finish filled with fruits and again that touch of smoke.

In sum – While not as approachable or easily dissected as the Clynelish I reviewed yesterday, a bit of patience and water pays off. This would be a good whisky to have as part of a tasting. Compare this to some other Mortlachs. It’s an odd duck out from others that I’ve had but for those up to a challenge, this can be a good dose of fun!

Breakfast Whisky, Clynelish, Springtime

Exclusive Malts – Clynelish 15yo – 53.5%ABV

April 8, 2013 Jewmalt

Highlands region – 53.5%ABV – US only — Price: unknown at this point.

Many of us here in the states have not heard of the Exclusive Malts or The Creative Whisky Company who are responsible for bottling this selection of single casks. The Exclusive Malts range is a new range to the US brought to this side of the pond by the fine folks at ImpEx Beverages.

So, what makes this line of whiskies so special? I’d say it comes down to David Stirk, owner of The Creative Whisky Company, and his ability to consistently choose and bottle fine and fun casks of whisky, both young and old. In the UK and EU, Mr. Stirk is known for bottling good hooch; I’m just glad that he and ImpEx are working together to bring some of these bottlings our way.

I was sent 5 samples in all from ImpEx (thanks again!) and we will launch the review of the Exclusive Malts range with this 15yo Clynelish. Bottled at cask strength and matured in what I assume is an ex-bourbon cask – the bottle simply says “aged in oak.”

On to the review; begin the begin:

On the nose – Quite a classic representation of Clynelish – waxy smelling, a touch of smoke, lemon bars and paraffin. Bright wood spice nose – a house in the framing stage of being built – fresh sawn wood.

A touch of mild mustard seed. Actually, if one could figure out a way to candy mustard seeds, I imagine it’d smell a bit like this.

Fresh tropical fruits and some crushed pecans (sans any bitter nut skin). Boy, nut skin just sounds wrong – forget I even mentioned nut skin. Seriously, stop with the nut skin!! *Why* are you obsessing…

MOVING ON!

Some warmed caramel or perhaps the caramel from a Milky Way bar.

On the mouth – Oh, hell yes. Warming and oily mouth feel. Much of what we got on the nose with a touch of hayseed to boot.

Waxy, spicy (not overly so)… Actually, the spice is increasing here — if you’ve ever had Dailuaine, the level of spice is similar to Dailuaine. Very nice.

Plastic candy wrappers, wax wrappers for vanilla caramels.

Finish – From mouth coating and oily to a medium length, slightly drying finish (like biting into a red grape seed).

In sum – Here is where knowing how to bottle a good cask at the right time pays off. This is a great whisky that’s both easy going but also has wonderful levels of complexity to it. At 53.5% ABV, it’s not hot at all… very approachable and perfect for a weekend morning pick-me-up. Start your day with this one (so long as you’re not driving or operating heavy machinery… or have to vote).

nut skin.

Jewmalt Whisky Reviews