Chichibu Ichiro's Malt Port Pipe 2013 54.5% 2009

Professional reviews

BOW (88)

Nose:
Bright, youthful, and teasingly playful—like a ruby port with a mischievous grin. Fresh minerals dance with the faintest wisp of smoke, a whisper of peat lurking in the background. A juicy medley of prune, grapes, raisins, and dried apricots adds a luscious depth.

Taste:
Zesty, invigorating, and delightfully drinkable. A lively burst of lemon pepper leads the charge, followed by the tart sweetness of porto and a cascade of fruit-laden tones. The oak hums softly in the background, offering just a touch of bitterness, while a hint of peat and lemon peel lend structure.

Finish:
An encore of fresh, fruit-laced vibrancy. Sweet and sour interplay with a lingering, bittersweet bite—viburnum and cowberry making their presence known. The fortress of strength remains elusive, but who needs it when the dram itself is this effortlessly charming?