The Double Distilleries pure malt Japanese whisky, which combines single malts from the closed Hanyu and new Chichibu distilleries.
Bottled at 46% with no added colouring and no chill-filtration, it has been matured, vatted and bottled at Chichibu.
The Akuto family, whose history with sake production dates back to the 17th century, had previously run the Hanyu distillery. It closed in 2000 and then when under new ownership dismantled in 2004.
Ichiro Akuto, whose grandfather had built Hanyu, managed to secure much of the maturing stocks around that time and took them to market as Hanyu whilst planning his own, new distillery. That would become Chichibu, which was opened in 2008.
Tasting notes by Nonjatta:
Nose:Â Lots of woody notes. Kind of like being in a carpenter’s workshop, but sweet and floral, not austere. Also, unscented soap, pears and green apples.
Palate:Â Basically follows the nose but adds sweet spices (cinnamon, nutmeg and licorice) and a slight soapiness to the mouth feel.
Finish:Â Palate smacking sweet spices, sweet woodiness, florals, licorice, cream and a hint of mint ice cream.
