Professional reviews
BOW (90)
Chichibu Angels Favorite Spirit Of Salud Cask 4569 63.5% is an exceptional whisky that tells a unique story of craftsmanship and serendipity. Distilled in 2015 at the renowned Chichibu distillery in Japan and bottled in 2024, this 8-year-old whisky is a second fill bourbon cask (cask 4569) that has captured the attention of whisky enthusiasts for a very particular reason—it leaked.
In the world of whisky, cask management is a meticulous process, and Chichibu is known for its diligence in this regard. However, even the best-laid plans can sometimes go awry. Cask 4569, intended to be part of the Chichibu 7 Gods Of Fortune Edition 6, experienced a leak, drastically reducing its yield. Originally expected to produce 190 bottles, only 75 bottles survived the leak, making this release perhaps the smallest batch in Chichibu's history.
Given the significantly reduced quantity, the decision was made to release this whisky under the Spirits of Salud series rather than its originally intended series. This change adds a layer of rarity and intrigue to the release, capturing the imaginations of collectors and connoisseurs alike.
The label of Chichibu Angels Favorite Spirit Of Salud Cask 4569 is particularly evocative. It features an angel seemingly attempting to protect the whisky from further evaporation and leakage. This imagery adds a poetic touch to the story, suggesting the angel's intervention may have come just in time to preserve this precious spirit, albeit in a smaller quantity than hoped.
At 63.5% ABV, this whisky promises a robust and intense tasting experience, reflecting the quality and character for which Chichibu is celebrated. The use of a second fill bourbon cask has imparted nuanced flavors, likely adding layers of complexity to the spirit.
In conclusion, Chichibu Angels Favorite Spirit Of Salud Cask 4569 63.5% is not just a whisky; it is a testament to the unpredictability and beauty of whisky production. Its rarity, combined with the narrative of the angel and the leak, makes it a sought-after piece for those who appreciate the art and history behind every bottle.
Serge Valentin (90)
Colour: gold. Nose: It’s peated, but softer and rounder, I might even say angelic. Tropical fruits and some yellow flowers bring it closer to an older Laphroaig, if you catch my drift. Mandarins, blood oranges... A few notes of violet and cranberry, but far from the 1980s Bowmore style. There’s also a touch of mint tea. With water: the pure peat returns, alongside plaster, raw wool, and ashes, with a distinct ‘working kiln’ vibe. Mouth (neat): powerful, sharp, green. Mint, lime, a bit of fir wood, and a saline edge (potash)... it really plays with your lips. With water: superb, medicinal, heavy on peppermint with lots of lemon and grapefruit zest. Water suits it perfectly. Oh, and plenty of freshly caught oysters. Finish: long, pure, with the emergence of putty and glue. A bit of Timut pepper and more citrus in the aftertaste. Comments: a top-tier Chichibu that thrives with water, offering a rather remarkable retro-olfaction.
Words of Whisky (88)
Nose
Gentle peaty notes with a soft fruitiness. It’s certainly not NOT reminiscent of Bowmore. Hints of apricots, mango and juicy pears, as well as a tinge of honeycomb, gentle floral notes and plasticine, as well as just a few sprinkles of nori. With time gentle pastry notes become part of the bouquet of aromas.
Taste
Very clean, pristine smoke. Soot, ashes. The peat influence is more pronounced, but still delicate. Also lemons, mango and papaya, again. A gentle brine-y, olive oil-like note as well, with finally some fresh kelp.
Finish
Long. The fruits linger, as does the peat smoke. Entwined.
