Ichiro's Malt 1986 King of Hearts

Hanyu 1988 21 Year Old 'Noh' cask #9306

Another Hanyu, this from a Sherry Butt, and another 'Noh' bottling- and poor review titles aside... Nose: Rich and a bit woody, it's the ash influence. Apple (red and a few green), sandalwood. Then it turns to fruit: dates, figs, and mince pie filling. Slight hint of salted, raw, and thinly cut meat (not quite a beefy ceviche). Waxy with dried...

Score 90/100

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 Ichiro’s Malt 2000/2013 13 Year Old ‘The Game’ 5th Edition

Hanyu Distillery was located in a town of the same name, 70 kilometres north of Tokyo. The original company was founded from a family business originally established in 1626 by the Akuto family, sake makers in the town of Chichibu. In 1941 Isouji Akuto, representing the 19th generation of the Akuto family, built a factory in Hanyu to produce...

Score 86/100

Hanyu 1991 19 Year Old "Nectar of the Daily Dram,' cask 377

The name of the bottling is quite the mouthful: Nectar of the Daily Dram, 'Red Oak Heads,' Cask 377. Nose: Rather elegant and 'orange,' with a bit of oaky varnish. Surprisingly mute here, though elements of sawdust are present. It takes some time, but it does open a bit more. Light red sherry notes, soft nuts like cashews, and pepper from the...

Score 88/100