Japanese Blended Whisky Review: Ichiro’s Malt And Grain — World Blended Whisky — Limited Edition

Ichiro’s Malt And Grain — World Blended Whisky

Ichiro’s Malt And Grain — World Blended Whisky — Limited Edition / 48% / ¥11,000 ($75 USD)

Tasted neat

Ichiro’s Malt & Grain World Blended Whisky Limited Edition is a 48% NAS world and Japanese single malt and grain whisky blend, naturally coloured, and non-chill-filtered. On the front, we have it described as:

This whisky is blended by Ichiro Akuto, founder of the Chichibu distillery.

He travels to find casks to perfect his blend in addition to his Chichibu single malt.

This is World Blended Whisky.

The back of the bottle — a gloss would be “this blend is done in the highest quality tradition you would expect of legendary Chichibu distillery.”

Let’s see how it is!

• Color: burnished (1.1)
• Nose: green grapes, grain, nail polish, apple juice, and honey
• Taste: oily and thick; ripe plums, cedar, mikan honey, and balsamic vinegar
• Finish: medium; uncomplicated sweetness, vanilla

Letting this blend rest at 48% and NCF is a brilliant way to pack way more flavour and richness into the final result. There is undeniably a heavy grain component but it mostly comes across on the nose and not the palate.

Rating: 6/10