It seems only a few days ago that we had this one (and it was too). OB was foolish kind enough to leave his bottles at mine; I am taking the opportunity to try them again (with his approval, it goes without saying).
Chichibu IPA Cask Finish b.2017 (57.5%, OB Ichiro's Malt imported by Number One Drinks, IPA Cask Finish, 6700b, b#5469): nose: this initially smells like an Indian Pale Ale, plain and simple; fragrant grapefruit, pineapple skins, hops... I can even smell the foam, in this nose! There is a sweetness to it as well that is close to chewy royal icing cake, a mix of sugar and dye. Behind that, candied apricots and line-drying bath towels. Finally, a gentle Bourbon influence appears: melted toffee, caramel cream and vanilla custard. The second nose brings vanilla-scented candles to the table, alongside grapefruit-scented cream or soap. Really, though: the grapefruit! Water tones down the grapefruit a bit and introduces something more rubbery -- is it scented plasticine? Mouth: grapefruit still dominates, now dishing out the bitterness of its peel, almost masking the acidity of the fruit's flesh. Boy! this is bitter on the palate alright. It is not unpleasant, mind. I can imagine someone who finds lager too bitter would struggle with this, though. Keeping the whisky in the mouth for a bit unleashes furious grapefruit flesh via retro-nasal olfaction, while the whisky itself and the Bourbon-y notes one could expect are barely noticeable. Maybe some toffee, if looking hard enough. The second sip somehow seems more powerful than the first -- a proper shock to the gums. Water makes this chewier. It is still grapefruit-y, but that is dialled down here too, leaving room for fresh ginger, Kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass. Finish: long, warming (it kicks like a mule, if an old mule), yet refreshing at the same time, which is quite a feat! It is that grapefruit again, delivering the cool and advertising its adequacy in hot weather. Do not fall for the publicity, however: at 57.5%, this is more suited to the cold; a September morning is particularly fitting, with its blue sky and a high of ten or twelve degrees Celsius. This dram is indeed perfect for the Indian summer, reminiscent of warmer days, whilst ushering in a season that calls for scarves and blankets. With water, the finish is strongly acidic, until a woody yoghurt settles down, a blend of ginger paste and powdered mace. And grapefruit, of course! 8/10 (Thanks for the dram, OB)
No comments:
Post a Comment