Chichibu – Ichiro's Malt Wine Wood Reserve (70cl, 46.5%)

Wine Wood Reserve is a blended malt from Ichiro's Malt, combining whisky from Chichibu Distillery with selected Scotch single malts. The married whiskies are finished in French oak wine casks from the Charentes, then bottled in Chichibu at 46.5%, non-chill-filtered and without colouring. Ichiro Akuto's own distillery, in Saitama Prefecture, began distilling in 2008. Maturation, marrying and bottling all take place there. Red apple, dark chocolate and ginger notes are part of the character. The nose is fruity, with floral and lightly nutty notes. On the palate soft fruit meets malt and a gentle wine-cask character. The finish carries subtle oak and lingering fruit.