Chichibu London Edition 2020 offers both precision and purity in a package that at times feels almost Lowland in its composition. But there’s also an intricacy here – a sense of peeling back the layers to find out what’s underneath – and the result is a whisky that’s unassumingly easy-going whilst at the same time somewhat tricky to fully understand. Complexity is more than the length of a tasting note. And for me, this year’s offering feels more of a grower than a shower.
Nose: Opening on Chantilly cream and sliced green apples. And then unravelling continually in the glass with an assortment of broader aromas – candy canes and peppermint oil (Blackpool rock), dried reeds, earthy fields and pressed daisy chains. Running throughout – cask-driven vanilla, fudge and butterscotch. Reduction reveal new fruitiness – pineapple cubes and balled melon alongside buttercream.
Taste: The arrival offers a welcome combination of juicy fruits and zingy sweets and spices – apple compote and pear jam alongside cinnamon gobstoppers, Blackjack chews and a strong vein of grassiness. The mid-palate delivers a touch of almost chalky salinity whilst menthol is piped through crème patisserie and layered with rolled marzipan. Dilution once again favours the fruitier aspects of the distillate with underripe honeydew melon and kiwifruit alongside toffee cream tarts and a handful of cough sweets.
Finish: Long with almond brittle, dried grass and a scattering of mint leaves.
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