Ichiro's Malt Chichibu The Peated 2022 Limited Edition (70cl, 53.5%)

This is a limited edition peated single malt from the Chichibu distillery in Japan, in a 70cl bottle at 53.5% ABV. It returns after a four-year gap; the previous release was bottled in 2018 for Chichibu's 10th anniversary. Most of Chichibu's production is unpeated and uses Norfolk barley, but a peated new-make is run in the last month before maintenance season. This release was matured in ex-bourbon barrels for between five and seven years, at cask strength, and 11,000 bottles were produced. The colour is pale gold. The nose has light peat and sweet custard, with black tea and peach, apricot and orange. The palate is smoky and rich, with ripe and stone fruit, mostly apple, and a hint of salt and vanilla.