Ichiros Malt Wine Wood Reserve Japanese Pure Malt Whisky (70cl, 46%)

Ichiros Malt Wine Wood Reserve is a Japanese pure malt that blends whisky from the Chichibu Distillery with whisky from an ex-Hanyu French oak barrel that previously held Japanese red wine. It is bottled at 46% without chill filtration, in a 70cl bottle. The nose opens with bright berries, almond and marzipan, followed by coconut, liquorice and star anise. The palate is hot and spicy, with sweetness, dried figs, curaçao, red berries and chilli, alongside a little tannin, milk chocolate and cocoa. The finish brings pepper, chilli, tannins and dark chocolate, with a very faint hint of smoke.