Hanyu Ichiro 1986 Ace of Diamonds Bot 2008 Sherry Finish

Hanyu Ichiro's Malt Seven of Spades

This is one of the very last expressions in Ichiro Akuto’s “Card Series”. It was distilled in 1990 and matured in a hogshead before being finished in a cognac cask (cask #525). It was released in 2012. The nose is light and surprisingly sweet, possibly due to the cognac cask finish? Notes of vanilla are followed by lemons, fudge and crème brûlée....

Score 86/100

Hanyu 1988 19 Year Old Cask 9307 'Nice Butt'

I wanted to give a few offerings from Hanyu - another closed, though well-reputed - Japanese distillery, and managed to score a few sample size bottles of the stuff. Huzzah! This was a multi-hour vertical of single cask offerings. I started with the youngest, the 19 year old 'Nice Butt' bottle. Nose: Slightly jammy with red berries and tropical...

Score 87/100

Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt Wine Wood Reserve

This is a blend of malts from the now-closed Hanyu distillery which were finished in a French oak cask that contained Japanese red wine. The vatting and bottling took place at Chichibu distillery in 2010. The nose is rich and malty. The first flavours to note are vanilla, followed by a hint of honey and bananas. Later on there are notes of sawdust...

Score 81/100

Hanyu Inchiro 2000 'The Game' bot. 2009

gift sample from a friend Nose: Varnish, malt, and a little sour (a bit on apple skins). It turns a little chocolatey. Grainy sweetness and a touch of sandalwood. There's something nice in there, but the alcohol is a bit fierce and the sour note is just a bit off. (with water) Varnish, camphor/medicinal, a little residual sweetness and fruit. More...

Score 80/100