Usually, Ichiro’s Malt & Grain is an affordable way to experience Chichibu. (I suppose in the same way that Big Peat is an affordable way to experience Port Ellen.) This iteration isn’t affordable. Yes, it’s a blend and it includes Chichibu. But cask #13481 for Spirits of Salud costs many multiples of the regular edition.

If you want the nitty gritty on this release, read this article on Dram1, a blog run by Martijn van Opstal. He also works as brand & sales activator for Salud Spirits, the Dutch importer of Chichibu. If you’re in a TLDR kind-of-mood, here’s a summary of what the Spirits of Salud release of Ichiro’s Malt & Grain is all about.

Like the original, this single cask edition is a blend of malt and grain whiskies from around the world, including Japan, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the United States. Unlike the original, those whiskies include some of oldest stock of Chichibu, plus stock from the closed Hanyu distillery. All in all, the recipe consists of whiskies aged 10 to 40+ years.

Ichiro Akuto, founder of Chichubu, then sourced an ex-red wine cask from Château Gruaud Larose, which he used to finish his blend for 3,5 years. That’s bold, to say the least. Does it justify a price tag of some 1000-odd euros? Of course not. But these days the prices of many whiskies are totally unjustified.

ichiro's malt & grain spirits of salud Château Gruaud Larose Red Wine (1)

Ichiro’s Malt & Grain – Spirits of Salud (59.8%, OB, C#13482)

Nose: This is all about the wine cask. And not necessarily in a bad way. Intense notes of fresh berries, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and orange zest. Also gentle herbaceous notes, slivers of wood glue and a tinge of meringue. Then some cranberry juice and almond oil, alongside bitter chocolate and a certain leathery side.
Taste: Very vinous. That thick, sticky mouthfeel you really only get from a (wet) ex-red wine cask. Quite a spicy arrival. Slightly astringent also. Hints of caramel coated nuts, some gunpowder and blackberries, as well as a touch of star anise and prosciutto.
Finish: Medium to long. Slightly dry, but also cranberries and oak spices alongside tobacco.

Conclusion

This is so far over the top that it can't even see the top anymore. Quite an insane whisky, but not necessarily an unpleasant drinking experience. The influence of the ex-red wine cask is stupendous. Usually that would mean a hard pass from me, yet I wouldn't mind another glass of this. A contradictory experience that makes me rethink some things.

8.4

Photo: Whisky Agents

Sample provided by Salud Distribution