Hanyu 1990

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 1991 Ichiro's Malt 20 Year Old single cask #5722

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 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 1988 21 Year Old Noh Cask #9306

Noh refers to a tradtional form of Japanese theater with masks. Hence the label. This Japanese whisky was put to sleep in 1988 in a sherry butt that yielded 625 bottles at cask strength in 2009. The nose is very fruity on all kinds of dried fruits: dried figs, raisins, candied cherries. Delicious. Some menthol and roasted nuts. Nice touch of smoke...

Score 92/100