While the hype surrounding Chichibu has certainly died down (just look at the auction values), the distillery still produces AND releases high-quality malt whisky. Today, I review Edition 5 of the Chichibu 7EVEN Gods of Fortune series, as well as The Angels Favorite, a Chichibu bottled in the Spirits of Salud range.
Full disclosure, I was supposed to assist in choosing the casks for these releases, but had a cold on the day of, making it impossible for me to participate. Bad timing, but what are you going to do. Both Chichibu I’m reviewing today were supposed to be part of the Salud Spirits’ 7EVEN Gods of Fortune series, but one of the casks picked turned out to be leaky.
There was only enough spirit left to fill 75 bottles, so the decision was made to launch it as a standalone release, named The Angels Favorite. It is a peated Chichibu, distilled in 2015 and matured in a second-fill bourbon barrel. Instead of being Edition 6 of the 7EVEN Gods of Fortune range, it became the second Spirits of Salud release. (I’ll review the first one at a later date.)
But first I’m going to be examining the Chichibu 2015 8 Years 7EVEN Gods of Fortune, the 5th Edition in this range (that’s ungodly expensive). It’s an unpeated Chichibu from a first-fill bourbon barrel.
Chichibu 2015 8 Years ‘7EVEN Gods of Fortune’ (61%, OB ‘Edition 5 Fukurokuju’, C#4577)
Nose: An immediate fruity, zesty freshness (yuzu, preserved lemons) accompanied by notes of sandalwood, a soft minerality and pastry dough. Also a slight leafiness, stewed fruits and a sliver of papaya. All very chiseled and pure. Water highlights the oak and vanilla’d elements.
Taste: A perfectly buttery mouthfeel with just a pinch of white pepper to spruce things up. It’s the tropical notes that stand out, as always. Pink grapefruit, mango and tinned pineapple. Also a sliver of coconut shavings, just a slight oak-y bitterness and hints of crushed mint leaves.
Finish: Medium to long. A sliver of honey, soft pepper-y spices and gentle (tropical) fruit notes.
Chichibu 2015 8 Years ‘Angels Favorite’ (63.5%, OB ‘Spirits of Salud, C#4659)
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.
Samples provided by Salud Distribution
Photo: Bestofwhiskies.com
